Pensacola man arrested in connection to U.S. Capitol siege

Federal authorities arrested a Pensacola man Wednesday in connection with the U.S. Capitol siege, marking the first Panhandle arrest related to the Jan. 6 riot, which resulted in five deaths.

Jesus D. Rivera now faces multiple charges, including knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority; knowingly, with intent to impede government business or official functions, engaging in disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds; engaging in disorderly or disruptive conduct on Capitol buildings or grounds; and parading, demonstrating, or picketing in the Capitol buildings.

Rivera’s initial appearance is scheduled for Wednesday at 3 p.m. CST before Chief United States Magistrate Judge Elizabeth M. Timothy at the U.S. Courthouse in Pensacola. However, the case will be prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.

According to a criminal complaint, Rivera posted several videos to social media while at the protest, including at least one from within the U.S. Capitol.

“The camera angle then changes back to outward-facing, and the crowd is once again visible,” the complaint reads. “The video ends with the individual recording the footage, Rivera, beginning to climb out of a window.”

Rivera encourages viewers to share his videos in a separate video while he approaches the U.S. Capitol building.

“Hey guys, if you are on here, share this live because I am about to take my ass to the middle of the state Capitol and see what’s going on, where they are trying to jump in,” the complaint alleges.

Rivera is one of several Floridians arrested in connection to the U.S. Capitol siege.

A Polk County Sheriff’s Deputy on Tuesday was arrested and charged regarding written threats related to the violence at the U.S. Capitol.

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd presented screenshots of the messages at a news conference.

“F**k the feds, shoot the feds,” Peter Heneen writes in one of the messages. “Need to make the streets of D.C. run red with the blood of the tyrants.”

The investigation is still ongoing, and Heneen faces second-degree felony threat charges.