Eric Gavelek Munchel, who was arrested Sunday after being depicted in photos wearing black paramilitary gear and carrying plastic restraints inside the Capitol, had been first stopped by law enforcement on Jan. 6 because he was carrying a Taser for self-protection while attending the pro-Trump rally, according to his newly released charging documents.
The FBI followed images of Munchel leaving the hotel carrying without a face mask and carrying a drink as just before President Trump began to speak that day to his supporters.
The charging documents released Monday detail how extensively the FBI has used publicly available photographs to help to identify and charge people allegedly involved in the violence. Munchel is charged with entering restricted grounds of the Capitol and violent entry or disorderly conduct.
The Nashville man was accompanied by a woman in photos who appears to be a relative on Jan. 6, the FBI said.
In other photos the FBI used to identify him, Munchel carried a rifle while standing in front of a TV tuned to Fox News showing a Trump speech. In one photo the FBI used to identify him, Munchel wore a Kid Rock-related shirt.
The FBI also noted he had been recorded on a livestream in a hotel lobby.
In photos from inside the Capitol, Munchel wore a baseball cap made by the Black Rifle Coffee company and a patch on his chest atop body armor that showed the Tennessee “thin blue line” and one that showed the “Punisher” comic book character, according to descriptions included in his court documents.
Two law enforcement officials told CNN earlier that Munchel was seen on Jan. 6 in photos and videos that depicted him inside the US Capitol wearing black paramilitary gear and carrying plastic restraints, an item in a holster on his right hip, and a cell phone mounted on his chest with the camera facing outward, ostensibly to record events that day.
He has not yet appeared in federal court in DC, where he is charged.
How the US Capitol riot unfolded, minute by minute:
##Riot Investigation#