An Eau Claire man is facing federal charges after he allegedly joined rioters in storming the U.S. Capitol and, after he was pictured in a list of suspects, wrote on social media that "i am wanted by the FBI for illegal entry" [sic].
According to a federal criminal complaint released Tuesday, media coverage of the Capitol riots posted on social media shows one particular person dressed in a brown/tan coat, wearing a hat and holding an American flag. The complaint identifies the man as Kevin Loftus.
The complaint includes a photo of Loftus standing inside the halls of the U.S. Capitol with a number of other people.
The complaint also includes screenshots of posts written by Loftus on Facebook. In the posts, Loftus shared a photo of himself standing in the Capitol building. In other Facebook posts, he wrote that "That's right folks some of us are in it to win"; shared a clip presumably of the woman being shot in the Capitol by police and wrote "Girl was killed inside too"; and finally shared a news article about lists of suspects in the riot, and wrote that "i am wanted by the FBI for illegal entry... im second from the end bottom row [sic]."
According to the complaint, FBI agents interviewed a witness, who told them that the above photo was indeed of Kevin Loftus and that they went to school together. Open-source data including his Wisconsin DMV driver's license further confirmed his identity, according to the complaint.
Agents then interviewed Loftus in Eau Claire, during which he admitted to walking inside the Capitol on Jan. 6., and walking on what he thought was the top floor of the Capitol building, where he took several photos.
Kevin Loftus attended a virtual court appearance Tuesday afternoon. Court officials determined that Loftus will be released Tuesday, and attend a second court appearance this Friday.
Loftus is facing two federal charges: Knowingly Entering or Remaining in any Restricted Building or Grounds Without Lawful Authority, and Violent Entry and Disorderly Conduct on Capitol Grounds. A search warrant was issued for his arrest on Monday.
Peter R. Moyers, an associate federal defender who is representing Loftus, issued the following statement: “Mr. Loftus has been cooperating with the FBI’s investigation, and he intends to work with the government to resolve his case. He’ll have no further comment while his case is pending.”
