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FBI arrests L.A. actor and Republican Occasion official over alleged involvement in Jan. 6 riot

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A Los Angeles County Republican Occasion government board member was arrested on prices associated to getting into the U.S. Capitol in the course of the riot on Jan. 6, 2021, in response to information stories and occasion officers.

Siaka Massaquoi, first vice-chair of the L.A. County Republican Occasion, was arrested Thursday by FBI brokers at a Los Angeles airport, reported Crimson State, a conservative information media outlet for which Massaquoi is a columnist. Massaquoi was reportedly returning together with his spouse from Nashville, the place the couple attended the premiere of the Day by day Wire’s new movie “Woman Ballers,” a controversial comedy mocking transgender athletes.

Massaquoi was taken into custody on misdemeanor prices together with trespassing, disorderly conduct and parading or demonstrating in a Capitol constructing, and he was held in jail in a single day and launched on a $1,000 bond Friday, Crimson State reported.

A spokesperson for the Republican Occasion of L.A. County confirmed the arrest and stated extra data can be supplied later.

Learn extra: Lawsuits against Trump over Jan. 6 riot can move forward, appeals court rules

In a publish Saturday on social media platform X, previously Twitter, Massaquoi shared a video clip of a livestream from contained in the Capitol on Jan. 6, writing: “Witness why I used to be raided 2 years in the past and lately arrested and charged Nov thirtieth 2023 nearly 3 years later.”

Authorities raided Massaquoi’s North Hollywood home in June 2021 due to his associations on “a social media app,” a regulation enforcement supply stated on the time. Massaquoi posted an Instagram video after the raid through which he stated, “I did nothing mistaken on the sixth … did nothing violent.”

The 71-second video shared by Massaquoi on Saturday seems to indicate him holding his telephone as much as document or stream video amongst a few dozen protesters, some with their faces lined or sporting Trump 2020 hats, crowded on the threshold of a door into the Capitol. Dozens of Capitol Law enforcement officials, many in riot gear, fill the hallway and look like attempting to get the Trump supporters out of the constructing. A few of these within the video say they’re “attempting” to depart however are blocked by the crowds.

Massaquoi didn’t reply to requests from The Instances for remark.

Learn extra: 4 California men linked to Three Percenters militia convicted of conspiracy in Jan. 6 case

In feedback to Crimson State, Massaquoi stated he was “grateful to Jesus for being with me and my household all through this unbelievable occasion.”

“Charlotte and I are so grateful for all of the love and assist we’ve got obtained to date and know we’ll get by this with God’s grace. Thanks on your prayers and assist,” Massaquoi stated.

The U.S. lawyer’s workplace for the District of Columbia is prosecuting the case. The workplace didn’t instantly return requests for remark.

Massaquoi, an actor whose IMDb credit embody bit elements on reveals together with Fox’s “Deadly Weapon,” additionally filmed himself at a protest that shut down the COVID-19 vaccination site at Dodger Stadium in January 2021.

Instances employees author Richard Winton contributed to this report.

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This story initially appeared in Los Angeles Times.



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