The Federal Bureau of Investigation arrested a 19-year-old man on Monday on multiple charges in connection with the Capitol insurrection.
According to the Department of Justice, Bilyard made his initial appearance in the US District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina later that day.
According to a criminal complaint, Bilyard was arrested on multiple criminal charges, including aiding and abetting civil disorder, destruction of government property, and assault on law enforcement with a dangerous weapon.
The sweatshirt he wore on January 6 was dubbed #HarvardSweats by investigators due to the fact that he discharged a chemical irritant that was believed to have been "bear spray" at law enforcement officers.
Video footage shows Bilyard encouraging another accused rioter to break a large glass window of the Capitol building with an axe. After breaking the lower portion of the glass window with a canister and a baseball bat, Bilyard shouted to people to enter the building through the window, which led to the Senate terrace, according to the DOJ.
February 4, 2021.
According to court documents, Bilyard was interviewed by an FBI task force officer at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, where he was attending basic training. He admitted during the interview that he was present at the Capitol on January 6 but only participated in lawful activities.
When shown video evidence showing his involvement in criminal acts, Bilyard ended the interview and said, "I think this is where I take my leave."
He moved back to Cary, North Carolina after leaving the Air Force.
The US Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division's Counterterrorism Section are prosecuting the case.
The Department of Justice said in a statement that he is among more than 670 people who have been arrested for crimes related to the Capitol insurrection.
