Who is Steve Omar Maldonado? FBI arrests Florida man who stormed Capitol building carrying blue Trump flag
The FBI continues to make arrests even a month after the Capitol riots made international headlines on January 6. Joining the list of arrested rioters was Steven Omar Maldonado, the man who was caught on camera carrying a Trump flag inside the Capitol building. Maldonado was apprehended on Wednesday, February 10, at the Orlando International Airport. He was taken away by FBI agents while he was preparing to fly to Puerto Rico.
Maldonado was reported by a couple who informed the Feds, according to Daily Mail. He was identified from news footage that was shown widely days after the protests. In the eight-page charging document, Maldonado was seen wearing a white MAGA hat and carrying a blue Trump flag.
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Who is Steven Omar Maldonado?
Maldonado alias Emilio Maldonado is a Puerto Rico native and lives in Palm Bay, Brevard County, Florida, according to Conan Daily. Previously, he was arrested for a couple of misdemeanors in 1998 and is a real estate sales associate. The site also listed him as a diver and he worked at the Treasure Coast Dive Charters as a boat captain where he offered diving and spearfishing trips on the Treasure Coast in Florida.
On the day of the riots, Maldonado was seen holding his hand up in a picture where it also appeared he was yelling. The image was posted on the FBI website. He was also captured in news footage and cellphone videos filmed by fellow rioters while inside the building.
He was interviewed by FBI agents on February 3 and admitted that he was part of the rioters who entered the Capitol. According to a Click Orlando report, court records outline that Maldonado faces charges of violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds and restricted building or grounds. He appeared before a judge on Wednesday, February 10, afternoon. He was also banned from using firearms and was ordered to surrender his passport.
His case will be transferred from Washington DC. Maldonado was released on a $25,000 appearance bond. This makes him the thirteenth person from Florida to be arrested in connection with the riots on January 6.
According to BBC, the month-long search for these rioters has resulted in charges against a reported 221 people. The Pentagon has also said, "some of the extremists who stormed the US Capitol on January 6 were active duty service members and others were military veterans."