ORLANDO, Fla. — Another Central Florida man has been charged in connection with the January riot in D.C. — this time after posting a Facebook selfie from inside the U.S. Capitol building.


What You Need To Know


“I found myself inside the building,” John Maron Nassif of Winter Springs wrote in a Facebook post with a photo of himself wearing a Trump hat, according to an FBI arrest warrant.

More than 400 people, including supporters of former President Donald Trump, are accused of various crimes related to the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Authorities say attackers were trying to overturn the election of Democrat Joe Biden.

A tipster —  an unidentified friend of the suspect —  contacted the FBI two days after the attack, saying Nassif was in the Capitol during the riot and posted pictures of himself on Facebook.

“You know I was there right?” the 55-year-old Nassif said in a Jan. 8 Facebook post, according to the FBI.

A second tipster told the FBI about Nassif’s posts and pictures on Facebook.

“The Rotunda was nearly filled with people,” Nassif wrote. “No one was fighting or being violent. More pushing and I decided to leave. It wasn’t until I was walking about that I heard a rumor someone had been shot. It wasn’t till I got to my hotel room I learned the specifics. Anyone telling you this was some type of coup ect is telling you lies.”

Videos of the invasion show violence.

Federal prosecutors in the District of Columbia filed these charges against Nassif:

  • Knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority

  • Violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds

The maximum punishment for each charge is one year in federal prison.

Most of the other Central Florida suspects charged in the riot are accused of more serious crimes. Many had to post bond for release. A few are being held in jail until their trials.

Some Central Florida suspects are also accused of attacking the Capitol as members organized groups such as the Proud Boys, an organization of white supremacists and Western chauvinists. 

Other Orlando-area suspects belong to another far-right group, The Oath Keepers.

Federal documents released Monday do not allege Nassif belongs to one of those groups.

Federal prosecutors also did not seek detention or bond for Nassif.

He was ordered to make an initial appearance on the charges in the District of Columbia virtually on May 17.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas Smith ordered standard conditions of release for Nassif, telling the suspect he cannot consume alcohol, take illicit drugs and possess firearms.

Smith also said Nassif will undergo random drug tests and have a mental evaluation.

Nassif was the only person in Smith’s courtroom without a mask. Smith allowed it but no reason was provided.

The 6-foot-4 suspect with graying hair and a bald spot appeared before Smith shackled at his feet and hands, wearing shorts and T-shirt, both dark gray, and hiking boots.

Nassif raised his right hand, despite the restraints, and gave an enthusiastic response to Smith when he was sworn in and asked if he would tell the truth.

“So help me, God, yes,” Nassif responded.

He nodded in agreement when Smith explained his rights and provided short answers to the judge’s questions. Asked about his education, Nassif said he graduated high school and completed some college courses.

Later, an unshackled Nassif avoided reporters as he walked away from George C. Young Federal Annex Courthouse in downtown Orlando.

Asked about his alleged role in the events of Jan 6, Nassif told reporters to go away and called them leeches. He raised his right hand in an attempt to block cameras from recording his face. He later used a handful of court documents to do the same.

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