Maine Man Faces Charges for His Alleged Role in Capitol Uprising

A man from Lebanon, Maine is facing multiple charges for his alleged participation in the January 6th uprising at the U.S. Capitol.

Kyle Fitzsimons of Lebanon was arrested this week on multiple charges for allegedly being one of the violent rioters who stormed the Capitol building last month. He's accused of pushing and grabbing officers who were trying to keep the mob from entering the building. One picture shows Fitzsimons with blood on his face, that allegedly came from being hit with an officer's baton. He allegedly charged at officers, after being hit.

The criminal complaint against Fitzsimons lists four charges:

• Knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority
• Violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds
• Assault on a Federal Officer
• Certain acts during a civil disorder

The charges were filed in the District of Columbia, where Fitzsimons will stand trial. He's expected to make an initial court appearance on Friday in Portland, where he will learn of the charges against him.

The Portland Press Herald reports that Fitzsimons says he went to Washington D.C. to witness what he felt could be the fall of the republic. He said that he witnessed President Trump's speech, then went to his car to change into the white butcher coat he wears as a meat cutter, and carried an unstrung bow to the Capitol building. The bow, he said, was to indicate his peaceful participation.

Once he got to the Capitol, he claims that he got caught up in a mob and pushed to the front, where he went into self-preservation mode. There were so many angry people, he said, that if you fought or fell to the ground, you would not get back up.

Fitzsimons is also a person of interest with the Portland Police for a suspicious package that was left near the Portland Museum of Art on January 23rd. He has not been charged in connection with that incident.