New Orleans, LA – A Louisiana man who allegedly participated in the Jan. 6, 2021, riots at the U.S. Capitol, where he was seen on video taking a box of chocolates, has been arrested, facing misdemeanor charges of trespassing, disorderly conduct, and picketing in a Capitol building according to the FBI.
The statement of facts revealed that Matthew Ryan Matulich, 34, donned a red “Make America Great Again” baseball cap with “45” embroidered on the back as video footage captured him entering the Capitol building and, later, walking through a corridor with an American flag on a flagpole, authorities said. He was also recorded taking cupcakes off a table in the building.
The FBI identified Matulich in September 2021, with the help of a person identified as Witness 1, who was with Matulich at the Capitol on that day and later pleaded guilty to trespassing charges. The two shared a common interest in political events and had driven together to the Capitol for the rally, court documents stated.
Authorities became aware of Matulich after he failed to show up for work for three consecutive days in early January 2021, prompting his termination. The FBI spoke to one of his former employers who disclosed that Matulich had asked for time off to go to Washington, but his request was denied. He went on his trip anyway, leading to his firing.
Matulich is scheduled for his first court appearance on May 16 with no attorney listed in the docket by Friday morning. Since the Jan. 6 insurrection, over 1,387 individuals have been charged in connection to the Capitol breach, officials reported.