PayPal shuts down account of Texas woman who flew private plane to Capitol riot

Paypal on Thursday took down the account of Jenna Ryan, a Texas woman who reportedly flew a private plane to the Capitol riot, after she claimed she raised $1,000 for legal fees and other losses due to her arrest.

“I am accepting donations to pay legal fees and losses due to my arrest and charges by the FBI for protesting at the US Capitol. Thank you for your support. Any amount helps,” Ryan tweeted on Thursday.

Help support Jenna Ryan by donating or retweeting. https://t.co/VTDygt7VBm

I am accepting donations to pay legal fees and losses due to my arrest and charges by the FBI for protesting at the US Capitol. Thank you for your support. Any amount helps.

— Jenna Ryan (@dotjenna) January 21, 2021

Kim Eichorn, a PayPal spokesperson, told The Hill that Ryan’s account was taken down but did not provide any more information. 

“PayPal has a policy to allow fundraising for legal defense purposes,” Eichorn said. “PayPal thoroughly reviews accounts, and if we learn that funds are used for anything other than legal defense, the account will be subject to immediate closure.”

Ryan tweeted after her PayPal account was taken down that she will “survive” and “some people want to cancel me because I’m trying to get donations from PayPal. Big Woop.”

Ryan was arrested over her alleged involvement in the Capitol riot after she posted about it on social media. She told local news outlets that she didn’t think she would get arrested. 

Authorities were able to identify Ryan after she live streamed herself walking into the Capitol on Jan. 6, stating, “Life or death, it doesn’t matter. Here we go.” 

Ryan was charged with “knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority” and “disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds,” according to a criminal complaint that was filed earlier this month. 

The Texas woman was charged along with more than 100 other people who are suspected in the Capitol riot. The FBI is still investigating the riot, and more arrests could follow the investigation.