The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) announced that it detained the person in a panda costume seen among the protesters in the January 6, 2021 raid on the Capitol building.
While the investigation and judicial processes regarding the raid by supporters of former President Donald Trump on the Capitol building in Washington on January 6, 2021 in the US continue, the FBI announced that it has arrested the person in a panda costume seen among the protesters.
Jesse James Rumson, also known as ‘rebel panda’, was detained in the state of Florida.
Rumson faces a number of charges, including assault or resisting a peace officer and physical violence on restricted property.
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Jesse James Rumson, the man who allegedly breached the Capitol while wearing a costume panda head, was arrested Monday by federal authorities. https://t.co/cuMASSaRHR
— Rolling Stone (@RollingStone) February 28, 2023
According to court transcripts, Rumson was identified after the FBI received a tip and reviewed footage of him walking into the Capitol wearing and removing his panda mask, revealing his full face.
Rumson is believed to have been among the first protesters to enter through the broken entrance door.
In the footage obtained by the FBI, Rumson, wearing a panda mask, can be seen wandering the hallways and eventually removing the costume and leaving the building.
BREAKING: The FBI in Florida has just ARRESTED Jesse James Rumson, also known as the 'Sedition Panda' for allegedly storming the Capitol wearing a bear head before assaulting a police officer.
Imagine telling your grandkids one day that you were arrested for trying to overthrow… pic.twitter.com/vzH5Q0Znkt
— Brian Krassenstein (@krassenstein) February 27, 2023
Prosecutors believe Rumson spent a total of 15 minutes inside the Capitol, but the footage shows him calling for protesters outside to ‘grab a battering ram’ to enter the building.
In addition to the existing charges, Rumson is also charged with disorderly conduct inside the Capitol, obstructing law enforcement during a disturbance, and disorderly and disruptive conduct.
Nearly 1,000 people were arrested
According to the US Department of Justice, US law enforcement agencies have so far detained 985 people since the raid on Congress.
A total of 319 people have been charged with assault, resisting and obstructing officers and staff, while 105 people have been charged with using a deadly weapon or causing serious bodily harm.
The FBI is asking for the public’s help in identifying and locating approximately 260 individuals, including those who were filmed attacking law enforcement and members of the press on Capitol Hill.
