Current:Home > InvestSocial media influencer is charged with joining the Jan. 6 attack on the US Capitol -Nova Finance Academy
Social media influencer is charged with joining the Jan. 6 attack on the US Capitol
View
Date:2025-04-18 14:59:58
A conservative social media influencer has been charged with storming the U.S. Capitol and passing a stolen table out of a broken window, allowing other rioters to use it as a weapon against police, according to court records unsealed on Monday.
Isabella Maria DeLuca was arrested last Friday in Irvine, California, on misdemeanor charges, including theft of government property, disorderly conduct and entering a restricted area.
DeLuca, who has more than 333,000 followers on the platform formerly known as Twitter, is a former congressional intern who works as a media associate for The Gold Institute for International Strategy. DeLuca’s profile on the institute’s website says she served as an ambassador for the conservative youth organization Turning Point USA.
DeLuca also interned for former U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin of New York and Rep. Paul Gosar of Arizona, both of whom are Republicans who have supported former President Donald Trump.
DeLuca, 24, of Setauket, New York, didn’t immediately respond to an email seeking comment. Online court records don’t list an attorney representing her.
During the Jan. 6 riot, DeLuca replied to a Twitter post by writing, “Fight back or let politicians steal and election? Fight back!”
Videos captured her entering a suite of conference rooms inside the Capitol through a broken window on the Lower West Terrace. She passed a table out of the window and then climbed back outside through the same window. A table that another rioter threw at police resembled the one that DeLuca passed out the window, according to an FBI agent’s affidavit.
DeLuca posted about the riot for days after the Jan. 6 attack. When an Instagram user asked her why she supported breaking into the Capitol, she responded, “According to the constitution it’s our house.”
Several days later, she posted on social media that she was at the Capitol on Jan. 6 and had “mixed feelings.”
“People went to the Capitol building because that’s Our House and that’s where we go to take our grievances. People feel, as do I that an election was stolen from them and it was allowed,” she wrote.
When the FBI questioned her roughly two weeks after the Capitol attack, DeLuca denied entering the building on Jan. 6, the agent’s affidavit says.
More than 1,300 people have been charged with Capitol riot-related crimes. Over 800 of them have been sentenced, with roughly two-thirds getting a term of imprisonment ranging from a few days to 22 years.
veryGood! (15827)
Related
- Sarah J. Maas books explained: How to read 'ACOTAR,' 'Throne of Glass' in order.
- Attackers seize an Israel-linked tanker off Yemen in a third such assault during the Israel-Hamas war
- Sierra Leone declares nationwide curfew after gunmen attack military barracks in the capital
- Wild goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury in mask issue shows he's better than NHL leadership
- Buckingham Palace staff under investigation for 'bar brawl'
- Iowa State relies on big plays, fourth-down stop for snowy 42-35 win over No. 19 K-State
- Texas A&M aiming to hire Duke football's Mike Elko as next head coach, per reports
- Indiana fires football coach Tom Allen despite $20 million buyout
- 'We're reborn!' Gazans express joy at returning home to north
- From 'Butt Fumble' to 'Hell Mary,' Jets can't outrun own misery in another late-season collapse
Ranking
- Most popular books of the week: See what topped USA TODAY's bestselling books list
- Why do they give? Donors speak about what moves them and how they plan end-of-year donations
- Barnes’ TD, Weitz three field goals lift Clemson to 16-7 victory over rival South Carolina
- Trump hints at expanded role for the military within the US. A legacy law gives him few guardrails
- North Carolina justices rule for restaurants in COVID
- Coming playoff expansion puts college football fans at top of Misery Index for Week 13
- The update we all need: Meadow, the Great Dane with 15 puppies, adopted by 'amazing family'
- Four-star QB recruit Antwann Hill Jr. latest to decommit from Deion Sanders, Colorado
Recommendation
'Squid Game' without subtitles? Duolingo, Netflix encourage fans to learn Korean
Teenage murder suspect escapes jail for the second time in November
2 teens shot, suspect arrested at downtown Cleveland plaza after annual tree-lighting ceremony
Final trial over Elijah McClain’s death in suburban Denver spotlights paramedics’ role
McKinsey to pay $650 million after advising opioid maker on how to 'turbocharge' sales
US Army soldier killed in helicopter crash remembered as devoted family member, friend and leader
Timeline: The mysterious death of Stephen Smith in Murdaugh country
No. 3 Michigan beats No. 2 Ohio State 30-24 for 3rd straight win in rivalry