DENVER — A former Navy law enforcement specialist living in Colorado was arrested Tuesday for allegedly entering the U.S. Capitol illegally during the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection that disrupted the verification of the 2020 presidential election.
FBI agents on Tuesday arrested Dusty Higgins, 41, in Grand Junction on suspicion of four federal charges: knowingly entering a restricted building; disorderly conduct in a restricted building; disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds; and parading, demonstrating or picketing in the Capitol.
The FBI started investigating Higgins in January 2022 after receiving a tip about Higgins posting selfies on Twitter and TikTok showing himself at the Capitol on Jan. 6, according to the arrest affidavit written by an agent.
In a Jan. 19, 2021, interview, Higgins told FBI agents that he traveled alone to Washington and marched to the Capitol as former President Donald Trump spoke to thousands of supporters gathered near the Capitol, according to the affidavit.
Higgins entered the Capitol by climbing through a broken window and walked around for approximately 10 minutes before following police officers’ instructions to leave, he told the agents.
“During the interview, Higgins stated, ‘Our Constitution tells us that when we have a treasonous government they should be overthrown,’” the affidavit states. “He further stated that his intention at the Capitol was not to overthrow the government but to make a statement. Higgins felt like the statement was made.”
Investigators served a warrant for Higgins’ social media accounts and found messages in which he told others that he made it inside the Capitol. They also found surveillance footage from inside the Capitol showing Higgins inside.
Higgins served as a law enforcement specialist in the U.S. Navy from 2002 and 2007, according to the affidavit. He operates a vape shop in Grand Junction.
Higgins declined to comment on his arrest when contacted by The Denver Post.
He is at least the 15th Coloradan to be arrested in connection to the insurrection.
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