By james art 
Baton Rouge – two local men arrested in the attack on January 6, 2021 against the United States Capitol, were pardoned by President Donald Trump during his first day of service, their lawyer said on Monday.
Denham Springs -born Edward Richmond, Jr. and Gacemar’s born Randy Verden, Seni, were among 1500 people, pardoned hours after Trump took office, lawyer John McLindon said.
Verdon was arrested in May 2024 after being charged with violation of behavior and entry or staying into a restricted building, along with similar crimes in a Capitol building.
Verdon told investigators in April 2024, “He travels from Louisiana to Washington, Colombia County to attend the former president’s rally,” the order said. It is identified in several photos from Capitol, investigators said.
Richmond was arrested in January 2024 for more serious crimes, including an attack on law enforcement repeatedly. He was also accused of civil disorder.
The Ministry of Justice said Richmond is among a group of at least nine others who plan to attend the rally. Richmond wore a black helmet, glasses and shoulder pads and had a two -way radio. He was reported that he was nailed to Louisiana’s flag toward his chest.
Both men were identified by surveillance footage. Verdon was also identified by footage from a mobile phone, the federal authorities said, adding that they also geolocated his phone to Capitol on January 6th.
McLindon said he could not provide additional information about the cases.
“They asked me not to make any comments,” he said.