Capitol rioter who livestreamed himself roaming the corridors of Congress shouting 'Where's Nancy's office?' is arrested by FBI in North Carolina
A North Carolina man who filmed himself storming the US Capitol and looking for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office during the siege by supporters of President Donald Trump has been arrested by the FBI.
Authorities apprehended Christopher Raphael Spencer, 40, without incident in Kernersville, the FBI said in a statement. Spencer, who is from Pilot Mountain, made his initial court appearance on Tuesday at the federal courthouse in Greensboro, a spokeswoman said.
According to a statement from a task force officer assigned to the FBI, an informant told authorities that Spencer had livestreamed videos to Facebook from inside the Capitol. The informant suggested Spencer may have had a family member with him, one of whom was captured on the posted video, the statement said.
Christopher Raphael Spencer, 40 , has been arrested in North Carolina in connection to his alleged role in the January 6 siege of the US Capitol. Spencer is pictured on the right in a screenshot from one of his livestreams from inside the Capitol
As Spencer, sporting a 'Trump 2020' T-shirt, walked through Statuary Hall, said, 'Who would’ve knew the first time I ever come would be to storm,' according to court filings
Federal prosecutors say Spencer livestreamed himself taking part in the attack
A search warrant turned up three livestream videos from Spencer’s Facebook account, and at different times, he showed himself, the officer said.
According to the FBI, the videos show Spencer, dressed in a 'Trump 2020' T-shirt, in various places inside the Capitol, and he can be heard shouting obscenities at Capitol police, and chanting along with the rest of the crowd, 'Who’s House? Our house!' and 'Stop the steal!'
Investigators said that Spencer at one point pulled down his neck gaiter and said, 'Bro, they stormed the Capitol, bro … pushed the cops out of the way, everything … took it over.'
At another point, the video shows him walking into an office hallway as he says, 'Where’s Nancy’s office?' in apparent reference to Nancy Pelosi, the FBI said. As he walked through Statuary Hall, Spencer said, 'Who would’ve knew the first time I ever come would be to storm,' according to officials.
At another point, a video shows Spencer walking into an office hallway as he says, 'Where’s Nancy’s office?' in apparent reference to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi
Chaotic scenes from inside the US Capitol as thousands of Donald Trump supporters barged into the building as Congress was certifying Joe Biden's presidential victory
Spencer is among more than 150 people arrested so far on charges related to the January 6 violent insurrection
Spencer was charged with knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority; violent entry and disorderly conduct on capitol grounds; and obstruction of justice.
Charges against Spencer include knowingly entering restricted building without lawful authority; violent entry and disorderly conduct at Capitol; and obstruction of justice
Following the hearing, Spencer was released on the conditions that he stay away from Washington unless for court hearings or meetings with a probation officer. He is prohibited from interfering or influencing anyone who may be a witness to the siege, and he must report for a virtual hearing on January 25, according to the release conditions.
Spencer must cooperate in the collection of a DNA sample if one is authorized, and he must tell the court or any of its officials of any change of residence or telephone number, the order said.
The FBI’s statement did not say if he had an attorney who could comment.
Spencer is among more than 150 people arrested so far on charges related to the January 6 violent insurrection in which a Capitol police officer and four others were killed.