A man, involved in the US Capitol riot, was possessing two guns, 400 rounds of ammunition as well as a machete in his van when he got arrested near former US President Barack Obama's Washington home, a federal prosecutor said on Friday. The accused was identified as a 37-year-old named Taylor Taranto. He was arrested on Thursday after being spotted a few blocks away from Obama's house after being chased by US Secret Service agents. Court documents that got unsealed on Friday revealed that he is charged with four misdemeanors related to the Capitol attack which took place on Jan. 6, 2021. The charges include disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, reported news agency Associated Press.
During a hearing in Washington's Federal court, the Justice Department disclosed the details about the weapons found in the van in which the man appeared to be living in, as reported by NBC News. The accused was ordered to remain behind bars pending a detention hearing scheduled for next Wednesday.
An email seeking comments was sent to the attorney of Taranto on Friday, reported AP.
It was not clear whether the Obamas were in their home at the time of Taranto's arrest or not.
The explosives team scanned through Taranto’s van and said that there was no threat to the public.
What Was Taranto's Role In US Capitol Attack
Taranto is a former US Navy official and a webmaster for the Republican Party in Franklin County, in Washington, as per Tri-City Herald newspaper. He told the newspaper in an interview last year that he was volunteering for the Republican Party.
After attending then-President Donald Trump’s “Stop the Steal” rally on Jan. 6, Taranto joined the rioters in the Upper West Terrace area. As per the court papers, he then picked up and threw pieces of metal scaffolding.
After that, Taranto entered the Capitol building and was near another rioter, Ashli Babbitt. The FBI stated in a court filing, a police officer shot and killed Ashli as she climbed through a glass window that led to the House chambers. Before leaving the building, the accused and other rioters scuffled with police officers.
On a Facebook account that authorities say appears to be run by Taranto and his wife, Taranto posted a video with the caption, "This is me ‘stormin’ the capitol’ lol I’m only sharing this so someone will report me to the feds and we can get this party rolling!"