FBI arrests Brooklyn judge’s son on Capitol riot charges

January 12, 2021 Tom Hays, Associated Press

In this Jan. 6, 2021 file photo, supporters of President Donald Trump, including Aaron Mostofsky, right, who is identified in his arrest warrant, walk down the stairs outside the Senate Chamber in the U.S. Capitol, in Washington. AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, File

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Federal agents have arrested the son of a Brooklyn judge on charges that he was among the protesters who stormed the U.S. Capitol, the FBI said Tuesday.

Aaron Mostofsky was picked up at his brother’s home in Brooklyn on Tuesday morning, about a week after he was seen inside the Capitol wearing a fur costume and a police vest that he is accused of stealing during the mayhem.

Court papers show how investigators are combing through internet communications to identify alleged offenders like Mostofsky, who referred to himself as a “caveman” eager to protest the presidential election results.

FBI agents were seen on a social media clip posted Tuesday appearing to remove part of his fur getup from the residence where he was arrested.

Mostofsky, 34, was slated to make a remote Brooklyn Federal Court appearance later yesterday before Judge Sanket Bulsara to face charges including felony theft of government property — a police bulletproof vest worth $1,905 and a riot shield valued at $265.

Mostofsky’s unusual garb made him stand out from the crowd of camouflage-wearing, flag-waving protesters. At one point, he was photographed sitting on a bench near the Senate chamber holding a stick and the riot shield, which he said he picked up off the floor.

He also gave a video interview inside the building, telling the New York Post he was there “to express my opinion as a free American that this election was stolen.”

Before the protest, Mostofsky messaged another demonstrator that he could be found by looking for “a caveman,” adding, “Even a caveman knows it was stolen,” the court papers said. Afterward, as his photo circulated, he said the image was unfortunate because “now people actually know me,” they add.

Mostofsky’s father is Hon. Steven Mostofsky, a state court judge in Brooklyn. He has not responded to requests for comment made through court administrators.

Messages seeking comment were left for Aaron Mostofsky’s brother, Nachman, and his defense attorney.

Nachman Mostofsky is the executive director of Chovevei Zion, the Jewish Heritage Preservation Society, and vice president of the South Brooklyn Conservative Club.

He told Gothamist last week that his brother “did nothing illegal,” “was not part of the riot” and was only in the Capitol because he was “pushed inside.”

Records show Aaron Mostofsky is a registered Democrat.