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James Cusick Jr., pastor of the Global Outreach Ministries of
Melbourne, Florida, faces four misdemeanor charges related to
the riot, including violent entry and disorderly conduct on
Capitol grounds. His son Casey Cusick, 35, also a pastor at his
father's church, faces similar charges but did not participate
in Thursday's hearing.
One of the their parishioners, David Lesperance, 69, also faces
similar charges. Lesperance did not take part in the hearing.
According to an FBI affidavit, Lesperance told investigators
that his pastor had attended Trump's speech before the riot and
then went to the Capitol building.
More than 535 people have been charged with taking part in the
riot. Trump has made false claims that he lost the 2020
presidential election because of widespread electoral fraud. The
riot interrupted the formal congressional certification of
President Joe Biden's victory over Trump.
An FBI affidavit outlining the case against James Cusick
includes photographs purporting to show him inside the Capitol
during the riot and of him standing outside Trump's hotel in
Washington the day before. He is the first clergyman known to
have been charged in the riot.
Cusick has pleaded not guilty to all charges and is free on
bail. John Pierce, a lawyer for Cusick, did not immediately
respond to a request for comment.
At Thursday's hearing, a prosecutor told U.S. District Judge
Randolph Moss that consolidating the cases of Cusick, his son
and Lesperance was under consideration. A further hearing for
James Cusick was set for Sept. 28.
(Reporting By Mark Hosenball; Editing by Will Dunham)
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