Trump supporters’ invasion of the US Capitol on Wednesday while protesting widespread vote fraud produced what already have become iconic images—some humorous and others tragic.
But the scofflaws prominently displayed on social media may quickly come to regret their newfound celebrity as federal prosecutors work to identify the individuals.
On Friday, DOJ investigators announced charges against at least 15 individuals, according to reports.
Department of Justice announces charges against 13 more people over the Capitol raid. A couple are alleged to have weapons. Including 11 Molotov cocktails, a 9 mm handgun and ammunition. pic.twitter.com/NvtmMzbC9I
— Alexander Panetta (@Alex_Panetta) January 8, 2021
Among them was recently elected West Virginia state Del. Derrick Evans.
The newly elected GOP lawmaker was seen on camera shouting “We’re in” as protesters entered the Capitol during the joint session of Congress to count—and dispute—Electoral College votes in order to certify the presidential election.
“Our house!” Evans said after entering the Capitol. “I don’t know where we’re going. I’m following the crowd.”
Already, colleagues had called on him to resign his seat.
Evans was charged with entering a restricted area and was taken into federal custody on Friday.
#BREAKING WV Delegate Derrick Evans has been taken into federal custody.
He’s charged after allegedly entering a restricted area of the US Capitol with rioters Wednesday.
A woman saying he was his grandmother came out telling us to leave as he was put in a car. #WSAZ pic.twitter.com/wK2RqFcaF7
— Chad Hedrick (@WSAZChadHedrick) January 8, 2021
Also named among those charged was Richard Barnett, the Arkansas man photographed by AFP/Getty Images propping his feet on the desk of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.
Shot. Chaser.
Richard Barnett of Gravette, Arkansas, lost his swagger sometime between when he got his feet off Nancy Pelosi’s desk and when authorities snapped his mugshot. pic.twitter.com/eovarQGnVK
— The Hoarse Whisperer (@TheRealHoarse) January 8, 2021
Barnett was also photographed outside the building holding up an envelope he had purloined from the office.
He was charged with unlawfully entering a restricted building, disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds and theft of public property.
Meet Richard “Bigo” Barnett, who stood outside the Capitol, his shirt open and his chest bared to the cold, loudly bragging about how he had broken into the speaker’s office. https://t.co/kOrzss4NJ5
— Matthew Rosenberg (@AllMattNYT) January 7, 2021
Authorities said they have charged more than 40 for various accounts including entering the Capitol, violating DC Mayor Muriel Bowser’s 6 p.m. curfew and wielding illegal weapons.
On the latter count, one couple was discovered carrying 11 Molotov cocktails, a 9 mm handgun and ammunition.
In addition to Evans, at least seven state lawmakers were known to have attended the protest.
Among them was Virginia Del. Amanda Chase, a potential gubernatorial candidate next year, who said she left early out of security concerns.
The fallout has spread to some who may have been punished simply for attending, such as a man who was photographed wearing his work badge from a Maryland company and was later fired, according to reports.
In Congress, Democrats—backed by some Republicans—have threatened to impeach President Donald Trump, claiming he incited the violence at a speech immediately before protestors proceeded to the Capitol.
