According to new court documents, a California man was arrested on Capitol riot charges earlier this month after the driver who drove him away from the January 6 attack tipped off the FBI.
Braun is accused of entering and remaining in a restricted building, violent entry or disorderly conduct, and obstruction during civil disorder.
The FBI was contacted by a driver from the Washington, DC, area to share information about a rioter. The driver told investigators that a passenger admitted to tearing down the barricade at the US Capitol.
The driver said the passenger had a white beard and a visible injury near his right eye. Braun was dropped off at a hotel in Arlington, Virginia, after being picked up from the US Capitol grounds.
According to court documents, a portion of Braun's ride was captured on video by a dash cam, during which the driver engaged Braun in conversation about the siege.
The driver asked if it had been violent all day.
Braun said it started when he got there.
The driver asked if you did.
Braun said that they could get to the Capitol.
How would that work out for you? the driver asked.
Braun said it looks like Biden will be our president.
Braun's hotel reservation and license were used by investigators to confirm that he was the same man in the dash cam video. Braun's conduct during the riot was the subject of more video and photographic evidence.
Braun was physically struggling with law enforcement officers using a barricade, according to court records.
Braun has a wooden plank in the videos, prosecutors said. Braun can be seen using the plank to hit someone wearing a helmet. Braun struck the photographer with his hand and plank after exchanging words with him.
NBC News reported that Braun was identified using video evidence and online sleuths.
Braun confessed to being present at the attack when FBI agents searched his home in South El Monte, California, in November 2021, according to court documents. Braun said that he was guilty when investigators asked if he had anything to say before they left.
According to the affidavit, when agents asked what he was guilty of, Braun responded: "everything."
Braun told the agents that after the riot, he tripped, fell, and broke his head as he walked through DC with a pizza in his hand.
Braun's cellphone records were obtained by investigators and included messages he sent after the attack, such as "hand to hand combat" and " occupying the Capitol".
An attorney for Braun did not respond immediately.
More than 800 people have been arrested in connection with the Capitol riot.
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