Active-duty Marine officer who helped mob force way into Capitol building is arrested for assaulting multiple police officers during January 6 riot
An active-duty Marine Corps officer who was caught on camera helping a mob force its way into the Capitol building during the January 6 riots faces federal charges for assaulting multiple police officers.
Major Christopher Warnagiris, 40, of Woodbridge, Virginia is the first active-duty service member to be charged in the insurrection, the Department of Justice said.
Warnagiris, who has been stationed at Marine Corps Base Quantico since last summer, was arrested Thursday in Virginia, and charged by the U.S District Court for Washington, D.C.
Security cameras captured Warnagiris- decked out in a dark jacket, military green backpack and black and tan gloves- push his way into the Capitol past a line of police officers through a doorway in the East Rotunda, charging documents said.
Security cameras captured Major Christopher Warnagiris (pictured) hold the door open to allow members of the mob into the Capitol building
A U.S. Capitol police officer told the FBI that Major Christopher Warnagiris shoved him as he tried to get him away from the doorway in the East Rotunda
After he got in, the major appears to use his body to keep the door partially open and helped pull other members of the mob inside, authorities said.
A U.S. Capitol Police officer, who tried to close the door Warnagiris was wedging open, said Warnagiris resisted to keep the door open.
The officer told the FBI that he had tried to push Warnagiris out of the way and he shoved him back, authorities said.
Warnagiris was first reported to the FBI in March after a co-worker recognized him from photos posted online.
The next day, FBI agents went to his military command and showed pictures of Warnagiris to another co-worker, who also positively ID'd him.
Major Christopher Warnagiris, 40, was first reported to the FBI in March after a co-worker recognized him from photos posted online
More than 400 people have been charged so far for their part in the January 6 storming of the Capitol
Warnagiris has served in the Marines for 18 years and has been deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan.
Warnagiris currently is assigned to the training and education command of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force Staff Training Program at the Marine base in Quantico, Virginia, CNBC reported.
The Marine Corps has denounced Warnagiris' actions, saying 'there is no place for racial hatred or extremism' in its ranks, AP reported.
'Those who can't value the contributions of others, regardless of background, are destructive to our culture, our warfighting ability, and have no place in our ranks,' the Corps said in a statement.
Warnagiris faces charges including assaulting, resisting or impeding certain officers, obstruction of law enforcement during civil disorder and obstruction of justice.
He faces a maximum 20 year sentence if convicted.
Warnagiris was ordered released after a brief appearance before a federal judge in Virginia. It was not immediately clear Thursday if he had an attorney to comment on his behalf, AP reported.
The Major is just one of more than 400 people who have been charged so far in the siege.
Among them are four members or reservists of the National Guard and about 40 military veterans, according to the Justice Department.
The charges against the rioters range from misdemeanor offenses, such as disorderly conduct in a restricted building, to serious conspiracy cases against members and associates of the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers extremist groups.
