An Orange County man who reportedly boasted about being on a aircraft “loaded with fellow patriots” earlier than allegedly taking images of himself in the midst of the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021 was arrested this week in Huntington Beach, based on the U.S. Attorneys Office.
Vincent Ardolino was taken into custody on Thursday, Dec. 1 in connection with a newly-unsealed felony criticism.
According to federal prosecutors, Ardolino on his method to Washington D.C. posted on Facebook, “Almost to DC to help stop the coup taking place. Turns out this plane is loaded with fellow patriots going to fight the political corruption that has infected our Government like the CCP virus.”
“CCP” has been used to consult with the Chinese Communist Party.
In an announcement filed with the courtroom, prosecutors stated Ardolino was tied to the group accused of trespassing on the U.S. Capitol constructing by way of his Google and cellphone accounts, together with a “selfie-style” photograph of a man believed to be Ardolino sporting a “Make America Great Again” hat and showing to face in entrance of a gaggle of officers.
The criticism, citing closed circuit video footage, says Ardolino was in the group that entered the Capitol. After initially denying he was in the restricted constructing, Ardolino finally admitted to being inside for about ten minutes, it states.
There was no indication in courtroom filings that Ardolino is suspected of collaborating in any violence or vandalism.
Court filings by prosecutors point out that Ardolino is a Fountain Valley resident, although at the very least considered one of his social media accounts identifies him as dwelling in Huntington Beach. He couldn’t instantly be reached for remark.
Ardolino is charged with coming into a restricted constructing or grounds, disorderly conduct and parading, demonstrating or picketing in a capitol constructing. He is scheduled to make his preliminary look by video earlier than a Justice of the Peace choose in a federal courtroom in Washington D.C. on Dec. 8, based on courtroom data.
More than 800 folks nationwide have been arrested and charged in connection to the Jan. 6 insurrection, when hundreds of pro-Trump supporters took half in an at-times violent however in the end failed effort to cease Congress from certifying President Joe Biden’s electoral victory. That contains more than two-dozen defendants with ties to Orange County.
More than 275 defendants have already pleaded responsible nationwide, most primarily admitting to misdemeanor counts that quantity to trespassing in the Capitol or adjoining restricted grounds.