The man who allegedly fired multiple rounds inside a Washington, D.C. pizza restaurant while investigating an Internet conspiracy theory about Democratic Party leaders has reached a plea deal with federal prosecutors.
Lawyers for 28-year-old Edgar Maddison Welch announced this deal at a status hearing at U.S. District Court in Washington, but did not discuss the terms, the Associated Press reported Wednesday.
Welch faces up to 10 years in prison, as well as possible financial penalties, for allegedly firing an assault rifle in front of customers at Comet Ping Pong in early December. Police say he traveled to Washington from North Carolina to “self-investigate” the online conspiracy theory known as “Pizzagate,” which holds that Hillary Clinton and other top Democrats ran a child sex trafficking ring from the restaurant’s basement.
Welch initially faced local gun-related charges, but those were dropped in December after prosecutors obtained a federal arrest warrant. He was ultimately charged with transportation of a firearm with intent to commit a crime.
Welch’s plea hearing is scheduled for March 24, according to the AP.
