Florida man tells the FBI he stormed the US Capitol with his PASTOR

MAGA rioter tells the FBI he stormed the US Capitol with his PASTOR – and now they both face charges

  • David John Lesperance was arrested Thursday in Indian Harbour Beach, Florida
  • FBI says he admitted to joining Capitol riot with pastor, James Varnell Cusick Jr 
  • Pastor Cusick and his son Casey Cusick were also arrested on Thursday
  • FBI says digital evidence, photos and tipsters support the charges

David Lesperance is seen in police bodycam footage during the Capitol riot

A Florida man has been arrested after admitting to the FBI that he took part in the U.S. Capitol riot along with his pastor, who also faces charges.

David John Lesperance was arrested on Thursday, along with Pastor James ‘Jim’ Varnell Cusick Jr of the Global Outreach Church of Melbourne, Florida and Cusick Jr’s son Casey Cusick, according to the Department of Justice.

According to criminal complaints, the FBI received several tips that Lesperance had taken part in storming the Capitol, and agents visited his home in Indian Harbour Beach near Cape Canaveral to interview him on January 19.

Lesperance, who owns an air-conditioning repair company, admitted to being present at and entering the U.S. Capitol on January 6, and also told agents his pastor was with him, according to the FBI.

The complaint says that Lesperance declined to name his pastor, but agents were able to identify Cusick Jr through research and other tips, including an anonymous letter naming him and his son as participants in the riot.

Pastor James 'Jim' Varnell Cusick Jr of the Global Outreach Church is seen on police bodycam. The FBI was tipped off by a congregant who admitted to entering the Capitol with his pastor

Pastor James ‘Jim’ Varnell Cusick Jr of the Global Outreach Church is seen on police bodycam. The FBI was tipped off by a congregant who admitted to entering the Capitol with his pastor

Casey Cusick is seen in a photo obtained from Lesperance's iCloud account by the FBI. He was also arrested and charged on Thursday

Casey Cusick is seen in a photo obtained from Lesperance’s iCloud account by the FBI. He was also arrested and charged on Thursday

Lesperance told the agents that he’d taken photos and video during the riot, but deleted them for fear of repercussions, the FBI said, but a warrant for his Apple iCloud account revealed photos of the event.

The photos include GPS tags that paced Lesperance inside the Capitol, and depict individuals dressed similarly to Cusick Jr and his son, though their faces are obscured.

Police bodycam and surveillance images also placed Cusick Jr inside the Capitol during the riot, the FBI said.

Investigators determined that Casey Cusick was spotted on surveillance cameras

Investigators determined that Casey Cusick was spotted on surveillance cameras

Data provided by a cell phone carrier shows Casey Cusick’s cell phone was inside the Capitol during the riot, according to the complaint.

Casey Cusick is one of Cusick Jr’s four children, who oversees the “operations and ministries” of the church, according to the Orlando Sentinel. 

All three men appeared in a federal court for arraignment on Thursday. Lesperance was freed on pretrial release ‘on conditions,’ but federal records do not indicate whether Cusick Jr or his son were released. 

Casey Cusick (circled left) and Lesperance (circled right) are seen in an Instagram photo included in the criminal complaint. The photo was partly redacted by the FBI

Casey Cusick (circled left) and Lesperance (circled right) are seen in an Instagram photo included in the criminal complaint. The photo was partly redacted by the FBI

The FBI says photos on LEsperance’s phone appear to show Cusick Jr (left) and Cusick (right)

All three men are charged with Knowingly Entering or Remaining in any Restricted Building or Grounds Without Lawful Authority, Disorderly or Disruptive Conduct in a Restricted Building, and Violent Entry and Disorderly Conduct on Capitol Grounds.

Lesperance, Cusick Jr, and Cusick could not be reached for comment by DailyMail.com, and it was unclear whether they had attorneys to speak on their behalf. 

Approximately 465 people have been arrested on charges related to the January 6 Capitol breach, including over 130 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement. The investigation continues.