Record at a Glance
- Category
- Jan 6th
- Age in NPR record
- 58
- Location
- Bayport, New York
- Charges
- Assaulting, Resisting, or Impeding Certain Officers; Assault by Striking
- Case status
- Pleaded guilty; Dismissed in part or full
Case Summary
Federal prosecutors say Peter Moloney attended the pro-Trump "Stop the Steal" rally on Jan. 6, 2021, armed with wasp-killing spray, a bike helmet and eye protection. As the mob pushed against police lines protecting the outside of the U.S. Capitol building, Moloney allegedly attacked police by spraying them with the wasp killer. Later, Moloney allegedly punched and shoved a photographer for the Associated Press covering the day's events, and grabbed the photographer's camera, causing the photographer to stumble down stairs. Prosecutors say Moloney also attacked another journalist photographing the riot. Court documents in Moloney's case indicate that members of the public helped identify Moloney from videos and photos of the Capitol riot, and that Moloney is the owner of a chain of funeral homes. Federal campaign finance records indicate Moloney has donated thousands of dollars to Republican candidates for office, including Donald Trump.
Case History
Moloney pleaded Guilty to the two charges. Sentencing set for 2/11/2025. On 1/21/2025, the court grants the government’s motion to dismiss the case with prejudice.
Sources
- Primary Documentation
NPR Jan. 6 Defendant DatabaseNPR - Primary Documentation
Underlying court recordCourt record linked by NPR
Case summary, charges, procedural updates and image are drawn from the NPR Jan. 6 archive snapshot dated 2026-09-25 unless otherwise indicated.