Another Florida man facing charges for involvement in Jan. 6 Capitol Riot

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced a Pasco County man was arrested Tuesday in connection with the Jan. 6 Capitol Riot.

37-year-old Ryan K. Yates, of Holiday, Florida, was arrested on felony and misdemeanor charges and made his first appearance in the Middle District of Florida on Tuesday, Sept. 26.

According to court documents, Yates was determined to show up at the National Mall on Jan. 6 and wore a blue and burgundy hoodie and a camouflage baseball cap with orange lettering saying, “Make America Great Again.”

Law enforcement authorities determined that Yates had illegally entered the U.S. Capitol building and was among the crowd of rioters that day.

What happened on Jan. 6, 2021?

Following the defeat of U.S. President Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election, a wave of his supporters attacked the United States Capitol Building in Washington, D.C.

In the 32 months since then, over 1,100 people were charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 396 charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, a felony.

These are still ongoing investigations.

So, how was Yates involved?

At around 2:17 p.m., Yates went into the Capitol through the Senate Wing Door.

Once inside, he traveled down the Statuary Hall Connector and to the House side of the building, where he stood near a group of protesters, apparently typing on his phone, as they tried to break into the House floor.

The DOJ said Yates went to the interior Rotunda door at around 3:20 p.m.

Then, he and the other protestors pushed against a police line to get inside the Rotunda before officers were able to close the doors.

Yates was escorted out of the Capitol after being surrounded by police.

According to the DOJ, Yates is charged in a criminal complaint filed in Washington, D.C., with the felony offense of civil disorder.

In addition, he faces several misdemeanors, including entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly conduct in a Capitol building, and parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building.

The FBI’s Tampa and Washington Field Offices are investigating this case with the help of the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.

Anyone with additional information can submit a tip by clicking here or calling 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324).