A Florida man wanted over the January 6 Capitol riot was arrested in Washington, D.C., after prosecutors say he traveled there to attend the presidential inauguration.
According to a Department of Justice court filing, Samuel, 26, was taken into custody Wednesday. He faces four charges tied to the riot, including civil disorder, entering or remaining in a restricted building or grounds, and disorderly conduct, WESH News reported.
Samuel appeared in D.C. District Court on Thursday and did not enter a plea. Judge Zia Faruqui agreed with prosecutors that he was a flight risk and ordered him held while he awaits trial. The judge said the country is large and there are many places a defendant could hide.
Prosecutors say video from the day of the riot shows Samuel at a Capitol doorway, using his phone to record a struggle with Capitol Police over a door. The complaint says federal agents reached him the day after the riot, and that he admitted taking part. Prosecutors wrote that he then became uncooperative and later posted on social media that he believed he had been cleared after speaking to an FBI agent.
Court papers say agents went to arrest him at his Broward County home the day before the inauguration, but he had already left for Washington. Prosecutors say he acknowledged that police wanted him and chose to try to attend the inauguration rather than turn himself in. Reports noted he has since apologized for his actions. The charges are allegations, and he is presumed innocent unless convicted.
Made to order and shipped to your door.
