DOJ charges two accused of carrying plastic restraints into Capitol during riot

The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on Sunday that two men had been charged in federal court in connection to the deadly riot that took place at the Capitol building on Wednesday.

According to a statement released by the DOJ, their cases are being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia as well as the Counterterrorism Section of the DOJ’s National Security Division. Both offices are being assisted by their counterparts in Tennessee and Texas.

Larry Rendell Brock was arrested in Texas and charged with one count of knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority as well as one count of violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds.

Brock was allegedly garbed in a green helmet, green tactical vest with patches and was holding a white flex cuff used by law enforcement to restrain or detain subjects.

The other man arrested on Sunday was Eric Gavelek Munchel of Tennessee, who was charged with the same crimes of unlawfully entering and violent entry on Capitol grounds.

Photos of the riot allegedly show Munchel carrying a handful of plastic restraints as he made his way through the Capitol. He also appeared to have an unidentified item in a holster attached to his right hip and a cell phone attached to his chest, apparently as a way to record the Capitol breach. 

More than 60 people have been arrested so far in connection to the riot. Many others have been identified online and have lost their jobs. Republican West Virginia legislator Derrick Evans resigned from office on Saturday after he was charged and arrested for taking part in the riot. Evans had filmed himself while at the incident.

The riot on Wednesday forced media, lawmakers and staffers to evacuate the Capitol or bunker inside offices. Five people, including one police officer, have been confirmed dead in connection to the riot. Ashli Babbitt of San Diego was shot by a police officer as she was attempting to climb through a window into the House chamber. She was the first person to be confirmed dead later that night.