An Illinois man, aged 39, was arrested on Friday for his involvement in the riot at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. John Banuelos, from Summit, Illinois, faces multiple felony and misdemeanor charges, including firearm offenses. At the time of his arrest, no legal representation or contact information was immediately available for him.
According to prosecutors, Banuelos was part of a mob that clashed with police officers on January 6, breaching the police line and escalating the situation. He was captured on camera climbing scaffolding erected for the inaugural stage, where he fired two shots into the air before rejoining the crowd.
The FBI received a tip in February 2021 after Banuelos' photo was identified on a website featuring individuals wanted in connection with the Capitol riot. Subsequent investigations confirmed his identity, with Banuelos even responding to his wanted poster online with a video that appeared to show him handling a gun.
During questioning, Banuelos claimed that his online activities were automated and any weapons he possessed were not real. However, further evidence, including matching photos from the riot, led to his arrest.
Since the Capitol riot, over 1,300 individuals have been charged with federal crimes related to the incident. Of these, more than 750 have pleaded guilty, while nearly 200 have been convicted following trials. Approximately 800 individuals have been sentenced, with the majority receiving prison terms ranging from a few days to 22 years.
