NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) – A self-described “hidden patriot” from Nashville, publicized on social media as a hooligan who broke into US Senate chambers on Wednesday with a gun and zippered handcuffs, was arrested on Sunday on federal charges, NewsChannel 5 Learned.
FBI agents took Eric Gavelek Munchel, 30, into custody on a federal arrest warrant accusing him of an accusation of intentionally entering or staying in any restricted building or land without legal authority and an accusation of violent entry and disorderly conduct. on Capitol land. He was arrested in a Nashville prison at 2:50 pm
MNPD photo
Immediately after the Capitol turmoil, intense interest focused on a series of photos taken by Getty Images chief photographer Win McNamee. One showed a masked and camouflaged invader in the Senate gallery with a gun in the right holster and the zipped handcuffs in his left hand.
This image raised fears that the invaders might be intent on taking hostages, although no concrete evidence has emerged to support this theory. There were reports of handcuffs being stolen from Capitol police warehouses.
One of the first clues about man’s identity, noted by NewsChannel 5 Investigates, it was a Tennessee patch on its chest plate with the “thin blue line” used to show support for the police.
The Capitol invader also wore a cap with a patch that showed an assault rifle over an American flag.
Looking for images of the Capitol rebellion, Internet detectives spotted the man during the march of Trump supporters to the Capitol. With him was a woman who some speculated might be his mother.
Another video showed the pair joining a crowd as they entered the United States Capitol through an unlocked door, passing the Capitol police who offered no resistance.
These images then led to a video, broadcast live in the hours after the uproar, showing the pair having drinks in the lobby of a hotel in Washington, DC. The man was still wearing the same camouflage clothes.
One of the interviewers noticed that the man had an empty holster on the right side.
“It’s just a Taser, but the police came and took it from me,” said Munchel. “They didn’t like it because of this night. They said I couldn’t open it carrying a Taser.”
The man described himself as “a hidden patriot, ready to jump”.
From there, the crowdsourcing effort took Internet detectives to Munchel’s Facebook page, where his own live video showed him walking to the Capitol with the same woman and other Trump supporters.
Along the way, they discussed how they could get into the legislative building.
“I think we could get in there somehow,” said a female voice.
“It’s my home, it’s our home – we pay for it,” replied an unknown man.
“Very well,” the woman interrupted.
Social media did an amazing job of putting the clues together, starting with the photo of the Getty images, eventually leading to the Munchel FB page. pic.twitter.com/pYic0NwyDO
– Phil Williams (@ NC5PhilWilliams) January 10, 2021
“It is the people’s home. We want to come in and be heard,” added the man. “If damn Mitch McConnell can’t speak for us, I will speak for Republicans.”
Another man replied, “We are no longer asking for permission.”
Photos on Munchel’s Facebook page showed him posing with a gun in front of a television with President Trump on the screen. In the background, the image shows an identical cap, like the one worn by the Capitol invader, with a patch representing an assault rifle over the flag.
His photos include one that shows him and the woman together in a canoe.
Other photos, discovered by Internet detectives, showed Munchel in protests in downtown Nashville with the same “thin blue line” from Tennessee on his chest.
His Facebook page showed that Munchel supported unsuccessful efforts to recall Nashville Mayor John Cooper. He is believed to work at a Nashville bar that opposed Cooper’s restriction on bars in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
After Munchel became the subject of speculation on social media, he apparently deactivated his Facebook page.
The U.S. Department of Justice also announced that agents have also arrested Larry Rendell Brock of Texas.
Brock was identified as one of the individuals who illegally entered the United States Capitol wearing a green helmet, green tactical vest with patches, black and camouflage jacket and beige pants holding a flexible white fist, which is used by authorities to restrain and / or detain subjects, said the DOJ.
The FBI is looking for individuals who may have incited or promoted violence of any kind. Anyone with digital material or tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or send images or videos at fbi.gov/USCapitol.