A member of Maryland’s Board of Elections resigned this week after he was arrested for his alleged involvement within the Jan. 6, 2021, assault on the U.S. Capitol.
Carlos Ayala, 52, was arrested Tuesday on a felony rely of civil dysfunction and several other associated misdemeanor prices, based on a assertion from the Department of Justice.
An FBI affidavit dated Monday describes how Ayala allegedly approached the entrance of the Capitol on the day of the rebel, sporting a hooded U.S. flag sweatshirt “cinched tightly around his head,” a “Stop the Steal” button and a “grey 3M-style painter’s mask with large filters on each cheek.” He additionally carried a flag with the phrases “We the People” and “Defend” on it, held on a makeshift flagpole comprised of a PVC pipe.
During the breach, Ayala shoved the flag via a damaged window of the Capitol and waved it round, based on the affidavit. After shifting towards a door, Ayala allegedly jabbed the flag at an officer, who then grabbed the flag and ripped it off the plastic pipe. Moments later, based on footage referenced within the affidavit, a pipe is seen flying on the police line as rioters make their manner into the constructing.
A couple of minutes after that, Ayala approached the police line and yelled, “Join us!” the affidavit mentioned.
According to The New York Times, Ayala made an preliminary look in courtroom on Thursday and was launched underneath pretrial supervision.
Ayala had been appointed by Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) final 12 months to serve on the state’s election board, the Times reported. His resignation from the four-year place was confirmed Thursday by the board’s chair, Michael Summers.
“The board is committed to maintaining the security and integrity of our elections in Maryland in a non-partisan manner,” Summers mentioned in an announcement.
In an announcement to NBC News and different information shops, Maryland Republican Party chair Nicole Beus Harris mentioned that Ayala selected to resign “because he believes that the 2024 elections process and the State Board of Elections is extremely important and should not be muddied with distraction.”
More than 1,200 folks have been charged in reference to the Jan. 6 Capitol assault, together with former President Donald Trump, who was indicted final 12 months on 4 federal felony prices for his position within the rebel.
