A man who was photographed sitting in House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s desk after pro-Trump rioters stormed the Capitol Building was arrested Friday, federal law enforcement announced, according to numerous sources.
Richard Barnett, 60, of Gravette, Arkansas turned himself into Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents at the Benton County Sheriff’s Office, the FBI announced, according to KARK 4’s Mitchell McCoy.
#BREAKING: Authorities confirm Richard Barnett, who was seen sitting at a desk in Speaker Pelosi’s office, turned himself into FBI agents at the Benton County, AR Sheriff’s Office, FBI confirms to @GregYarbrough. pic.twitter.com/ZcCNy3tTqu
— Mitchell McCoy (@MitchellMcCoy) January 8, 2021
Barnett was charged with entering and remaining on restricted grounds, violent entry, and theft of public property, according to NBC.
Barnett was captured in photos sitting in Pelosi’s office with his foot on her desk Wednesday, when rioter, many of which were wearing pro-Trump gear, moved through the building, vandalizing it and leaving trash, flags, and signs scattered around the rotunda and hallways. (RELATED: Photos And Videos Show The Damage Left Behind After The Riot At The Capitol Building)
The riot interrupted the electoral certification, which was resumed later that night, cementing President-elect Joe Biden’s victory. Thousands of Trump’s supporters had gathered in Washington to hear him speak at a rally before rioting erupted.
The FBI posted roughly 40 photos of individuals seen inside the Capitol Building, seeking information about their identities.
#FBIWFO is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying those who made unlawful entry into U.S. Capitol Building on Jan. 6. If you witnessed unlawful violent actions contact the #FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or submit photos/videos at https://t.co/NNj84wkNJP. https://t.co/iSeA3UMeyz pic.twitter.com/TW7fma4QDE
— FBI Washington Field (@FBIWFO) January 8, 2021
#BREAKING: Richard Barnett, the man who barged illegally and forcibly into US Capitol and was seen sitting on Speaker Pelosi’s chair has been arrested in Arkansa. Charged with remaining on restricting grounds, violent entry and theft of public property. Others too being tracked. pic.twitter.com/N2cxEIrf4Y
— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) January 8, 2021
Barnett, who goes by Bigo, had not kept a low profile about his identity, and was captured in a photo outside the building with a personalized envelope he took from Pelosi’s office, according to the New York Times. “I left a quarter on her desk, even though she ain’t [expletive] worth it” he told Times reporter Matthew Rosenberg.
That’s Richard “Bigo” Barnett, 60, from Gravette, Ak., showing off the personalized envelope he took from Speaker Pelosi’s office. He insisted he didn’t steal it — “I left a quarter on her desk.” pic.twitter.com/aST7MCoRwP
— Matthew Rosenberg (@AllMattNYT) January 6, 2021
“I wrote her a nasty note, put my feet up on her desk and scratched my balls,” he told Rosenberg.
Here’s Mr. Barnett, who goes by “Bigo,” telling the story in his own words pic.twitter.com/oSyKiCDXgy
— Matthew Rosenberg (@AllMattNYT) January 6, 2021
Barnett previously told 5News that he “didn’t do anything” and was looking for the bathroom in the building after being pushed in by the mob. (RELATED: Rioter Who Broke Into Pelosi’s Office Says He Was Just Looking For A Bathroom)
“I didn’t do anything. I didn’t breach the doors. I got shoved in. I didn’t mean to be there. Hell. I was walking around looking for a bathroom,” he said.
After he says he climbed the steps, he found Pelosi’s office. “I threw my feet up on the desk at that point. I realized some assholes had cut me also and I bled on her envelope, so I picked up the envelope and put it in my pocket, and I put a quarter on the desk cause I’m not a thief,” he told 5News.
The rioting led to 5 deaths, including that of Capitol Police Office Brian Sicknick, who died of his injuries Thursday night.