A man who was photographed holding a Confederate Battle flag inside the Capitol Building on Jan. 6 has been charged, the Justice Department announced.
Both men have been charged with one count of knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority, one count of violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds, and one count of depredation of government property.
Citing video footage, authorities say the pair entered the Senate Building through a broken window. They say shortly afterward Kevin Seefried was photographed holding the flag.
The men were part of a larger group who verbally confronted several U.S. Capitol police officers, court documents alleged.
The FBI was able to identify the two men after receiving a report by Hunter Seefried’s co-worker, who said the man had bragged about being at the Capitol with his father on Jan. 6. The tipster also confirmed Hunter Seefried’s presence in a photo on a Metropolitan Police Department flier of the breach.
The pair confirmed their participation in the events to the FBI in separate interviews on Jan. 12. Kevin Seefried told agents that he brought the Confederate flag to the Capitol from his home in Delaware. He also told agents that Hunter Seefried was asked by an unknown individual to assist with clearing a window, which allowed people to enter the building, court filings said.
Videos also showed Sullivan joining others in breaking the barricade and encouraging other protesters to enter the building, according to authorities. He was charged this week with unlawful entry, disorderly conduct, and attempted obstruction of law enforcement.
The DOJ said it has opened at least 170 cases linked to the Jan. 6 events and have charged over 70 individuals.
Individuals are being charged with various offenses ranging from simple trespass, theft of mail, theft of digital devices, assault on local and federal officers to more serious offenses such as theft of potential national security information or national defense information and felony murder, Michael Sherwin, the acting U.S. attorney for Washington, said during a press conference on Tuesday.
The top prosecutor for the district also said that federal prosecutors are working to build “seditious and conspiracy charges” which carry a maximum prison term of 20 years.
The mayhem on the grounds resulted in at least five deaths, including a police officer, and dozens of police officer injuries.
The event has sparked various investigations and reviews and prompted officials to ramp up security for the upcoming inauguration on Jan. 20.
