The man who walked into a Washington, D.C., pizza restaurant and fired a rifle as he investigated the “Pizzagate” conspiracy theory has pleaded guilty to two weapons charges.
Edgar Madison Welch, 28, pleaded guilty on Friday to the federal charge of interstate transport of firearms and a local charge of assault with a dangerous weapon.
After driving from his home in North Carolina to Washington in December, Welch was arrested after he entered Comet Ping Pong, fired one shot from an AR-15 and pointed it at one patron as he investigated a fake story which had spread through various online forums.
The conspiracy theory started after some social media users became suspicious of the multiple mentions of pizza in the leak of Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta’s emails. Some social media users determined this served as evidence that Hillary Clinton was running a pedophilia ring and that there were underground tunnels being used that were connected to the restaurant where Podesta sometimes ate.
Though both charges that Welch faces carry sentences up to 10 years in prison, nonbinding advisory guidelines could reduce the length of time behind bars.
Welch also agreed to pay the restaurant a restitution of $5,744.33 for damages and forfeited three firearms and a box of ammunition.
His sentencing hearing is set for June 22 and he will remain detained until then.
