Current:Home > Finance23-year-old Miami GOP activist accused joining Proud Boys in Jan. 6 riots -SecurePath Capital
23-year-old Miami GOP activist accused joining Proud Boys in Jan. 6 riots
View
Date:2025-04-26 13:54:47
A 23-year-old Florida woman was arrested last week on charges related to her alleged involvement in the Jan. 6, 2021 U.S. Capitol riot.
Barbara Balmaseda of Miami Lakes was arrested Thursday according to a release from the U.S. Attorney's Office of the District of Columbia. She has been charged with the felony of obstruction of an official proceeding and four misdemeanors, according to the release and her lawyer.
Court records included in the release show Balmaseda was an acquaintance of Gabriel Garcia, a member of the Proud Boys who was found guilty of two felonies for his involvement in the riots. The two had previous communication and were shown together in security footage from the Capitol.
An attorney from the office representing Balmaseda responded to the charges on her behalf in a statement emailed to USA TODAY.
"It is our position that it was unnecessary for the federal task force comprising of the FBI, Marshals, ATF, and Metro-Dade Police to arrest her for essentially trespassing charges. When the FBI contacted her over a year ago, they were told that she would voluntarily surrender if they ever wanted to arrest her. We are also disappointed that it took almost three years for DOJ to decide to charge her," Nayib Hassan said in the email. "She is relieved this process will finally move toward a final resolution. Her arrest was a waste of law enforcement resources."
The statement also said that she has been in the federal "Quiet Skies" program for a year, subjecting her to extra screening at airports.
Balmaseda made her first appearance in the Southern District of Florida, and bail was set at $100,000. According to the Miami Herald, she has been released on bond. The case has been transferred to the District of Columbia.
Timeline:How the storming of the U.S. Capitol unfolded on Jan. 6
Looking forward:Jan. 6 Capitol riot's most serious offenders are sentenced. What that means for 2024
Balmaseda stepped into the Capitol building among broken glass and sounding alarms
According to evidence outlined in the statement of facts, Balmaseda and Garcia flew to Washington, D.C. together on Jan. 5, 2021 with planned return on Jan. 7 2021.
Before traveling, she had sent several messages to others stating her belief that the election was stolen and demonstrating she knew the certification process was scheduled for Jan. 6, 2021, the release states.
Allegations show Balmaseda climbed the equipment that had been staged in preparation for the upcoming inauguration, then scaled the stairs to get to the terrace of the Capitol, the release states.
Security footage showed Balmaseda enter the building approximately four minutes after rioters first broke in. "According to the allegations, when Balmaseda entered the building, broken glass was scattered on the ground, and an alarm blared near the doorway," the release states.
She went to the Crypt, down the "OAP Corridor" and to the Rotunda, joining crowds that confronted officers on more than one occasion, the release sates.
The case is being further investigated by FBI Field offices in Miami and Washington. U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section are prosecuting her case.
Who is Barbara Balmaseda?
Balmaseda was once the director at large for the Miami Young Republicans, according to a Facebook post by the organization.
"This individual is not a current member of our organization," Miami Young Republicans said of Balmaseda in an emailed statement to USA TODAY. "Our organization is focused on supporting young professionals in our community."
According to the Miami New Times, she was an intern for U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio between 2018-2019.
She joins more than 1,230 people across almost all 50 states who have been charged in connection with the riot at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, according to the release. Officials are continuing to investigate the incident.
veryGood! (29)
Related
- McConnell absent from Senate on Thursday as he recovers from fall in Capitol
- Can we still relate to Bad Bunny?
- Nebraska governor faces backlash for comments on reporter’s nationality
- 1 killed, 2 others flown to hospital after house explosion in rural South Dakota
- In ‘Nickel Boys,’ striving for a new way to see
- Pennsylvania lawmakers chip away at stalemate, pass bill to boost hospital and ambulance subsidies
- Hundreds mourn as Israeli family of 5 that was slain together is laid to rest
- Czech government survives no-confidence vote in Parliament sought by populist ex-prime minister
- Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
- Lobbyist gets 2 years in prison for Michigan marijuana bribery scheme
Ranking
- A South Texas lawmaker’s 15
- Detroit casino workers launch strike for better pay and benefits
- Tupac murder suspect Duane Davis set to appear in court
- Pianist Jahari Stampley just won a prestigious jazz competition — he's only 24
- The FTC says 'gamified' online job scams by WhatsApp and text on the rise. What to know.
- SNL debuts with Pete Davidson discussing Israel-Hamas war and surprise cameos by Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce
- Pulse nightclub property to be purchased by city of Orlando and turned into a memorial
- Golfer breaks world record for most 18-hole courses played in one year
Recommendation
$73.5M beach replenishment project starts in January at Jersey Shore
Mike Pompeo thinks Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin would be a really good president
Small-town Nebraska sheriff faces felony charge but prosecutors release few details about the case
Prosecutors won’t charge ex-UFC champ Conor McGregor with sexual assault after NBA Finals incident
Could your smelly farts help science?
Start Your Fall Fashion Capsule Wardrobe With Amazon Picks From Darcy McQueeny
Joran van der Sloot’s confession in Natalee Holloway case provides long-sought answers, mother says
Humanitarian crisis in Gaza an 'unprecedented catastrophe,' UN says