A Palm Bay man who authorities say went inside the U.S. Capitol during a riot by supporters of then-President Donald Trump was arrested Wednesday at Orlando International Airport. Steve Omar Maldonado, who also goes by Emilio Maldonado, was arrested at the airport by FBI agents, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney’s Office said in an email. He is facing charges of entering a restricted building and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds. At a hearing Wednesday, a federal judge ordered Maldonado’s release but restricted his travel to the Middle District of Florida and court appearances in Washington D.C., court documents show. He was also banned from having any firearms and ordered to surrender his passport. Maldonado was also appointed a public defender. According to business records and a company website, he is a charter boat captain who offers diving and spear fishing trips on the Treasure Coast. He is at least the thirteenth person from Florida to be arrested for the Jan. 6 insurrection at the Capitol, according to a Justice Department list of defendants charged in federal court in the District of Columbia. FBI agents say Steve Maldonado, who is wearing a white hat in this photo, was arrested Wednesday after being accused of going inside the U.S. Capitol during a riot by loyalists of then-President Donald Trump (Photo courtesy of FBI).
Two people who knew Maldonado recognized him in television news coverage of the riot and took pictures of him, which were later sent to FBI agents Jan. 17, according to an arrest warrant. One of them also identified Maldonado in the FBI’s photo collection of individuals wanted in connection to violence at the Capitol, the complaint said. Authorities said a third person who knew Maldonado received videos he recorded inside and outside the Capitol building, including inside the U.S. Senate chamber. Those videos were later provided to the FBI. Agents said Maldonado was also captured on surveillance video wearing a white hat that said “Trump,” according to the warrant. The FBI says surveillance cameras captured Steve Maldonado inside the Capitol building wearing a white Trump hat (Photo courtesy fo FBI). During an interview with agents, Maldonado said he and his friend attended the “Stop the Steal” rally where Trump urged his followers to “fight like hell” and march to the Capitol building in an attempt to stop Congress from certifying Joe Biden’s presidential victory.
via orlandosentinel: Palm Bay man arrested at Orlando airport for role in U.S. Capitol riot