4 ‘Serial Rioters’ Arrested For Violence In Charlottesville Could Face Up To 10 Years

Multiple white nationalist groups march with torches through the UVA campus in Charlottesville on Friday, August 11, 2017. When met by counter protesters, some yelling "Black lives matter," tempers turned into violence. Multiple punches were thrown, pepper spray was sprayed and torches were used as weapons. Mandatory Credit: Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar via USA TODAY NETWORK
In this Friday, Aug. 11, 2017 photo, multiple white nationalist groups march with torches through the UVA campus in Charlottesville, Va. W.C. Bradley Co. President and CEO Marc Olivie told the Columbus Ledger-Enquire... In this Friday, Aug. 11, 2017 photo, multiple white nationalist groups march with torches through the UVA campus in Charlottesville, Va. W.C. Bradley Co. President and CEO Marc Olivie told the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer on Monday, Aug. 14 that the Columbus-based company’s staff was “appalled and saddened” that its Tiki brand torches were “used by people who promote bigotry and hatred.” (Mykal McEldowney/The Indianapolis Star via AP) MORE LESS
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The four men arrested this week, who were allegedly associated with a militant white supremacist organization could each face up to 10 years in prison for violations of the Riot Act, according to prosecutors.

Each face up to five years for violating the Riots Act and an additional five years for conspiracy to violate the Riot Act, federal officials said at a press conference on Tuesday. The officials, United States Attorney Thomas Cullen and FBI Special Agent Thomas Chadwick, suggested they may still pursue additional charges — like hate crime charges — against the four men, whom they referred to as “serial rioters” for their involvement in the militant Rise Above Movement group and other violent acts they allegedly committed at rallies in California.

Officials said they were “pretty confident,” based on the plethora of digital coverage of the rally in Charlottesville last year, that they can prove the four men — Cole Evan White, Benjamin Drake Daley, Michel Paul Miselis and Thomas Walter Gille — violated the federal Riot Act.

Each will be transported to Virginia and will make court appearances in Charlottesville next week or the week after, officials said.

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