Long Island man, 27, charged with taking part in the Capitol riot claims he is NOT a Trump supporter and was in DC to 'understand' MAGA insurgents
A man from New York has been charged over his alleged role in riots at the Capitol three weeks ago - but insists he is not a Trump supporter and was only in Washington to 'understand' MAGA fans.
The FBI was tipped off that Christopher Ortiz, 27, from Huntington, Long Island, had been at the riot with several people coming forward with the information.
Ortiz also posted to his Instagram story that appeared to show him entering the Capitol building alongside other protesters on January 6th.
But outside court on Wednesday he insisted: 'I'm not somebody who walks around wearing a MAGA hat, I'm not that kind of person. I wanted to understand what's going on with the people I don't really align with.'
Hundreds of supporters of Donald Trump stormed the building to disrupt the final, largely ceremonial act by the House and Senate to count electoral votes and declare Joe Biden the winner of the election. Five people died, including an officer for the Capitol Police.
27-year-old Christopher Ortiz is accused of participating in the U.S. Capitol riot on January 6th
Christopher Ortiz, 27, speaks with the media after leaving Federal Court, in Central Islip, New York. He was arrested on Wednesday afternoon for allegedly storming the Capitol
Ortiz was arrested early Wednesday in Huntington at his parents home on Long Island
At least two people came forward to tell authorities that Ortiz could be heard on video yelling: 'Onward, Onward!' and 'Yeah! We're at the door!'
Charging documents also show screenshots of messages that Ortiz is alleged to have exchanged with one of the FBI's witnesses.
The informant asked Ortiz in a direct message what he was doing there when they saw the video, according to the documents.
'Participating in government,' he wrote back.
'Lol they can come and get me; I didn't break or vandalize or steal; I walked through and out,' he wrote. 'I'd storm the Capitol for you any day,' Ortiz added.
Witnesses told authorities that Ortiz had videos from the January 6 riot on his Instagram account, according to court papers
Text messages with an FBI witness were including in the charging documents in which Ortiz is alleged to have said: 'I'd storm the Capitol for you any day'
Christopher Ortiz appears in this courtroom sketch during a virtual hearing before Magistrate Judge Anne shields in a New York court on charges related to the January 6th storming of the U.S. Capitol in Washington
Ortiz was arrested by the Joint Terrorism Task Force at his home where he lives with his parents, on Wednesday morning.
But upon leaving the court and being photographed by DailyMail.com, Ortiz claimed he did not support former President Donald Trump and was not someone who caused damage at the riot.
'I think the sensationalism around the violence at the riot isn't right. I don't think it was violent, I didn't vandalize, I didn't steal, I didn't break anything, I didn't burn anything. There on D.C. that day, I saw a group that represents about half of our entire country. And I feel like the division across this nation is reaching a high,' Ortiz said to News 12.
Ortiz is alleged to have posted video of himself as he walked through the Capitol building
Christopher Ortiz, 27, was tracked down in Huntington, Long Island
Ortiz is seen in a courtroom sketch as he appearing before the the judge by video link
'And the reason I put myself there ... I'm not somebody who walks around wearing a MAGA hat, I'm not that kind of person, understand? I wanted to understand what's going on with the people I don't really align with. I wanted to see what's happening. They marched towards the Capitol, I got caught up in that, it became a crazy thing,' Ortiz explained.
Ortiz was arraigned in federal court in Central Islip on Wednesday on two charges, including knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted buildings or ground without lawful authority.
He was released on $60,000 bond and has been told that he is not allowed to head to Washington D.C. except to appear in court, which he is scheduled to do so on Monday.
Trump supporters clash with police and security forces as they try to storm the Capitol
Police detain a person during the attack by supporters of US President Donald Trump on the US Capitol
The FBI is continuing with its efforts to build a conspiracy case in the wake of the Capitol riots.
Authorities have arrested more than 150 people for their alleged role in the siege according law enforcement.
But the investigation is about to shift gears and the next steps will see federal officials attempt to prosecute those who allegedly took part, as more information is gathered on the suspects and investigators attempt to determine whether a larger conspiracy case might be able to be pursued.
Steven D'Antuono, FBI Assistant Director in Charge had revealed the FBI has received more than 200,000 digital media tips from the public.
Though a combination of tips and research, 400 suspects allegedly involved with the riots have been identified and about 150 arrested.
Authorities have arrested more than 150 people for their alleged role in the siege according law enforcement but there are still more to come
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