Charges are being dropped for three journalists who were swept up in a large group arrest of protesters during the inauguration of Donald Trump.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia filed notices on Monday, Jan. 30 to dismiss the felony rioting charges against Matthew Hopard, John Keller and Alexander Rubinstein.
The three were working as journalists covering protests on Jan. 20 when they were arrested as part of a group along with other innocent observers.
Police arrested 230 people and charged them with felony rioting, which is punishable by up to 10 years in prison. The arrests came after some protesters, who described themselves as anarchists, became violent, smashing windows, throwing rocks at police and setting a limousine on fire.
Two other people who identified themselves as journalists still face charges. The U.S. Attorney's Office has declined to comment on those cases.
