In this Dec. 5, 2016, photo, the front door of Comet Ping Pong pizza shop, in Washington, Monday, Dec. 5, 2016. For conspiracy theorists, “pizzagate” didn’t end when a man brought a gun to a Washington restaurant in a misguided attempt to rescue child sex slaves, instead, the shooting fired up further belief in the baseless claims. On blogs, YouTube channels and internet radio shows devoted to conspiracy theories, some see Edgar Maddison Welch’s as the latest “false flag.” That’s a term for a cover-up or distraction orchestrated by the government or other powerful figures. ( AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
A California man has pleaded guilty to setting fire to the same D.C. pizza place targeted by a man investigating a conspiracy theory that falsely connected 2016 presidential candidate Hillary Clinton to an alleged child sex trafficking ring under the restaurant.
Ryan Jaselskis pleaded guilty Tuesday to arson and assault on a federal law enforcement officer, news outlets report. He reached a deal with prosecutors in which he agreed to serve 48 months in prison, according to court records. The judge isn't bound by the agreement. Sentencing is set for March.
Jaselskis admitted to setting a January fire at Comet Ping Pong, which was occupied by children and adults at the time. No injuries were reported. Authorities haven't released a motive. Weeks later, he wrestled with a U.S. Parks Police officer while being arrested at the Washington Monument after jumping a construction fence, police said.
Comet Ping Pong was targeted in the “Pizzagate” conspiracy, which apparently originated on Twitter and led an armed North Carolina man to burst into the restaurant in 2016 to investigate the claims. Edgar Maddison Welch, of Salisbury, later pleaded guilty to illegally transporting firearms over state lines and assault with a dangerous weapon. He was sentenced to four years in prison.
