Evergreen Reporter

A California man, Michael Fagundes, 49, from Costa Mesa, has been arrested on charges related to the events of January 6, 2021, at the U.S. Capitol. His actions allegedly disrupted a joint session of Congress convened to count electoral votes for the 2020 presidential election.

Fagundes faces three felony charges in the District of Columbia, including two counts of assaulting officers and one count of obstructing law enforcement during civil disorder. Additionally, he is charged with several misdemeanors related to entering restricted areas and engaging in violence within the Capitol grounds.

The FBI arrested Fagundes on October 8, 2024, in Costa Mesa. He made his initial court appearance in the Central District of California.

Court documents indicate that Fagundes attempted to attend the "Stop the Steal" rally but was denied entry. He then moved towards the U.S. Capitol and reached a location known as the Lower West Terrace Tunnel during some of the most violent clashes with law enforcement that day.

Allegations suggest that Fagundes entered this tunnel wearing a gas mask around 2:42 p.m., engaged with other rioters over a police riot shield, and later used it against police officers. The documents also describe an incident where Fagundes allegedly dragged a Metropolitan Police Department officer into a crowd after they were forcibly removed from their line by rioters.

Further allegations state that Fagundes interacted with another rioter's Oleoresin Capsicum dispenser before another individual sprayed it toward police. Around 4:09 p.m., Fagundes reportedly used another riot shield to push against officers and struck them with it.

During these events, he appeared to be on a video call near ongoing violence next to a broken window leading inside the Capitol building. He gestured toward others and entered through this window.

The case is being prosecuted by various divisions within the Department of Justice and investigated by FBI field offices in Los Angeles and Washington. The U.S. Capitol Police and Metropolitan Police Department have provided assistance.

Since January 6, 2021, over 1,532 individuals across nearly all states have been charged for crimes linked to the breach, with more than 571 facing charges for assaulting or impeding law enforcement officers.

Anyone with information can contact authorities via phone or online tips. It is emphasized that an indictment represents allegations only; defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt in court.