Prosecutors: Accused Capitol rioter eluded police and went to D.C. for inauguration

Jan. 22 (UPI) -- A Florida man accused of participating in the attack on the U.S. Capitol this month was arrested this week after authorities say he avoided police and traveled to Washington, D.C., on the day President Joe Biden was inaugurated.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Zia Faruqui ordered on Thursday that the man, Samuel Camargo of Deerfield Beach, Fla., remain in custody after his arrest in Virginia on Wednesday.

Authorities say Camargo, 26, had posted numerous videos online that showed himself forcing his way into the Capitol on Jan. 6 during an assault by radical supporters of former President Donald Trump, who were attempting to thwart Congress' certification of Biden's election victory.

Prosecutors say he later showed off a piece of metal that he said came from the break-in.

Prosecutors say he left for Washington on Wednesday, the day of Biden's inauguration, when he saw FBI agents and police arriving at his Miami-area home.

A court filing says Camargo knew that he was wanted by federal agents, but "decided that he should attempt to attend the inauguration rather than turn himself into authorities."

"He admitted ... that when we saw police officers at his residence [after the phone call], who were there to effect a search warrant, he drove in the other direction," Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Poulin said.

"He drove directly to Washington, D.C."

FBI agents had previously contacted Camargo by phone and in person. During the conversations, they say he questioned their loyalty to the U.S. Constitution and became combative, according to the complaint.

"His response ... was to go back to the scene of the crime on another politically-charged day where there was increased concern for additional action," Poulin added.

Prosecutors have charged Camargo with violating the federal Anti-Riot Act, unlawful entry into a restricted building and disorderly conduct.