An Army soldier, Alexander Cain Poplin, has been arrested in Hawaii on charges related to the attack on the U.S. Capitol that occurred over three years ago. The arrest followed a tip received by the FBI in February 2021, indicating that Poplin had boasted on Facebook about his involvement in the Capitol riot.
Poplin, 31, was apprehended at Schofield Barracks near Honolulu and is facing multiple charges, including assaulting a police officer with a flagpole during the riot. The FBI investigation revealed that Poplin was present at the Capitol on January 6, 2021, where he participated in the mob that stormed the building while lawmakers were certifying President Joe Biden's electoral victory.
Video evidence captured Poplin carrying an 'Area Closed' sign and a flagpole with a blue flag, which he used to repeatedly strike a Metropolitan Police Department officer on the Lower West Plaza of the Capitol. His actions led to charges of interfering with police during a civil disorder and assaulting law enforcement with a dangerous weapon.
Poplin's attendance at then-President Donald Trump's 'Stop the Steal' rally near the White House prior to the Capitol breach further linked him to the events of that day. While many individuals involved in the riot were military veterans, Poplin stands out as one of the few who were on active duty at the time.
The arrest of Poplin is part of the ongoing efforts to hold individuals accountable for their roles in the Capitol riot. To date, nearly 1,500 people have been charged with federal crimes related to the incident, which resulted in injuries to approximately 140 police officers.
Poplin was scheduled to appear in federal court for his initial hearing, but his assigned attorney did not provide immediate comment on the charges. The case underscores the serious consequences faced by those who participated in the violent breach of the U.S. Capitol.
