Bryan Betancur, of Silver Spring, Maryland, faces multiple charges in connection with the insurrection at the Capitol on January 6th
A self-professed white supremacist from Maryland who was on parole for burglary has been arrested after his ankle monitor placed him at the US Capitol during the riots earlier this month.
Bryan Betancur, from Silver Spring just outside Washington D.C., has aired ‘homicidal ideations, made comments about conducting a school shooting and has researched mass shootings,’ according to a federal affidavit.
Betancur’s parole officer is said to have told the FBI that he claimed to have been inside the Capitol along with the rioters on January 6th and that he was tear gassed and ‘paranoid about the FBI watching him.’
Authorities were indeed watching him thanks to his GPS ankle monitor, however he had managed to have his request to travel to DC granted under a lawful premise and initially explained his wanting to be in the nation’s capital to sell bibles with an organization known as Gideon International.
A ‘self-professed white supremacist’ Betancur was on GPS monitoring as a condition of his probation
The GPS monitor tracked him moving between the ‘Stop the Steal’ rally at the White House before heading down to the Capitol at the time of the riots
Bryan Betancur, of Silver Spring, Maryland was taken into custody Sunday on charges of entering a restricted building or grounds, unlawful activities on capitol grounds and disorderly conduct
Under the terms of his parole, probation agents use online software to monitor travel and make sure their parolees are following court-ordered curfews.
But rather than spread the word of Christ, it appears Betancur was in Washington for a far less-than-holy reason.
A screenshot from his monitoring software shows him to be close to the White House Ellipse at the ‘Stop the Steal’ rally – before moving towards the area directly in front of the U.S. Capitol building between 2 and 5pm on January 6th.
Betancur was also identified on social media after he posted pictures of himself on his Instagram account ‘bryan_patriot_1776’ holding the corner of the Confederate battle flag.
He had been approved by his probation officer to travel outside of his home state of Maryland to ‘distribute Bibles’ but instead was placed (and photographed) at the Capitol building
A picture posted to social media shows Betancur posting with a Confederate flag at the riot
Another picture showed him in a Proud Boys t-shirt flashing the ‘OK’ hand signal, often used among white supremacy groups.
‘Based on the prosecutor’s knowledge of the facts uncovered in this investigation’ at no time on or before January 6, 2021, was Bryan Betancur granted permission or authorized by rule to enter restricted grounds around the Capitol, nor did he, at any time, have authorization to assemble, display flags, or parade on the Grounds or in the Capitol building.’
The affidavit stated how Betancur told his probation officer he was in the Capitol and then he tried to change his statement. But there are also witnesses who saw his posts on social media.
The Department of Correctional Services said in a statement: ‘Parole and Probation has been working closely with federal authorities and is continuing its investigation in cooperation with them.’
Text messages between Betancur and his parole officer show him asking permission to head to Washington D.C. to distribute bibles
Betancur had been convicted for fourth-degree burglary and after he was released began to engage with ‘racially motivated violent extremist groups on the internet, expressing his desire to be a ‘lone wolf killer.”
The affidavit reveals how he made comments about conducting a school shooting, and has researched mass shootings.
Betancur voiced support for James Fields, the individual convicted for killing an individual with his car during protests in Charlottesville, Virginia and is alleged to have stated how he wanted to ‘run people over with a vehicle and kill people in a church.’
Betancur voiced support for James Fields, the individual convicted for killing an individual with his car during protests in Charlottesville, Virginia and is alleged to have stated how he wanted to run people over with a vehicle and kill people in a church.’
Two days after the Capitol riot, the FBI received a call from Betancur’s probation officer, who said Betancur had told him he’d been inside the U.S. Capitol Building with the rioters.
He has now been taken into custody once again on charges of entering a restricted building or grounds, unlawful activities on Capitol Grounds and disorderly conduct.
More than 70 people have now been charged in federal court with charges in connection to the Capitol riot, and U.S. attorneys have said even more cases are expected to be filed.
The agency is examining around 140,000 photos and videos from the scene of the attack which has been sent to them by members of the public.
Another picture showed him in a Proud Boys t-shirt flashing the ‘OK’ hand signal, often used among white supremacy groups
Source: Daily Mail US
