Active-Duty Marine Corps Major Christopher Warnagiris charged in Capitol insurrection

Officials say he is believed to be the first active-duty military service member to be charged in connection with the January 6th attack.

• By Ryan Lucas/NPR

(Washington) — An active-duty officer in the U.S. Marine Corps has been arrested and charged for allegedly assaulting police during the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol by a mob of Trump supporters.

Maj. Christopher Warnagiris was arrested Thursday in Virginia and charged with five counts, including assaulting or impeding an officer, obstruction and unlawful entry. Officials say he is believed to be the first active-duty military service member to be charged in connection with the Capitol insurrection.

According to an FBI document filed in federal court, security camera footage from the Capitol on Jan. 6 shows Warnagiris forcing his way through East Rotunda doors.

Warnagiris then allegedly tried to prevent U.S. Capitol Police officers from shutting the doors and at one point pushed an officer who was trying to secure the entrance.

BREAKING: Active-duty Marine Major Christopher Warnagiris, based at Quantico, was arrested in Virginia for assaulting federal officers at the Capitol. pic.twitter.com/vh7TdReT4d

— Ryan J. Reilly (@ryanjreilly) May 13, 2021

The FBI received a tip from the public in March that helped identify Warnagiris, according to court papers. Agents followed up on the information by obtaining two government photographs of Warnagiris and then interviewing a co-worker at his military command, who identified him in photographs from the Capitol.

Warnagiris made his initial appearance Thursday in federal court in the Eastern District of Virginia. The government did not seek his detention.

More than 400 people have been charged so far in connection with the Capitol breach, including around 40 military veterans as well as a handful of guard members and reservists.

NPR’s Investigative and News Apps teams have published a database of everyone arrested so far in connection with the Capitol riot. This area of reporting is ongoing, and the database is being updated.

Loading…