Man Arrested for Pepper Spraying Police Officers at US Capitol

Newport News Resident Charged in Connection with Jan. 6 Incident

A Newport News man was taken into custody on Wednesday for allegedly pepper spraying police officers in the Lower West Terrace Tunnel of the U.S. Capitol building during the events of Jan. 6, 2021.

Multiple Charges Filed Against Matthew Stallings

Matthew Stallings, 34, is facing several charges related to the incident. He has been charged with obstructing law enforcement during civil disorder, engaging in violence against a person while using a deadly or dangerous weapon, and assaulting, resisting or impeding a federal officer. Additionally, Stallings faces misdemeanor counts including disorderly conduct in a Capitol building, engaging in physical violence on the Capitol grounds, and engaging in physical violence in a restricted building resulting in significant bodily injury.

Identification through Surveillance Footage and YouTube Channel

The FBI was able to identify Stallings through a combination of surveillance footage from the scene and footage from his YouTube channel, as detailed in court documents. The video evidence showed an individual, believed to be Stallings, wearing a military vest along with a tan military helmet featuring a flashlight and a black and white Gadsden patch on the side. In the video, Stallings can be seen spraying a full canister of pepper spray at police officers before throwing the empty can at them amidst the chaos at the tunnel entrance.

Helmet Matching Stallings’ Description Found in YouTube Video

A helmet similar to the one worn by Stallings on Jan. 6 appears in the background of one of his YouTube videos, providing further evidence linking him to the incident.

Email Address and Mobile Device Records Confirm Presence at the Capitol

Stallings’ YouTube channel publicly listed his email address, and records provided by Google were instrumental in establishing that a mobile device associated with his email address was present at the Capitol on Jan. 6, near the Lower West Terrace, during the relevant time frame. This information eventually led investigators to an address in Newport News, where Stallings was residing.

Stallings Observed at His Residence by FBI Agent

An FBI agent confirmed Stallings’ identity by observing him at his residence in Newport News. The agent reported this information in the criminal complaint. Additionally, further confirmation came when the Newport News Fire Department responded to a fire in the detached garage of Stallings’ residence, and Stallings identified himself as residing there.

Unsecured Bond and National Scale of Charges

Stallings has been granted a $5,000 unsecured bond. He is one of over 1,300 individuals facing charges across the country for their involvement in the events of Jan. 6. It is worth noting that more than 460 of those individuals face felony counts specifically related to assaulting or impeding law enforcement, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Contact Information

Gavin Stone
Phone: 757-712-4806
Email: gavin.stone@virginiamedia.com

Read More of this Story at www.pilotonline.com – 2024-02-10 02:13:56

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