Gracyn Dawn Courtright, a 23-year veteran at the University of Kentucky, was arrested after sharing deleted Instagram and Twitter video posts that showed her participating in the January 6 uprising on the United States Capitol.
During the insurrection, supporters of President Donald Trump plundered the federal building as they tried to stop Congress from certifying President-elect Joe Biden’s victory.
In his posts on social media, Courtright said he could hardly “wait to tell my grandchildren that I was here”, adding: “Infamy is as good as fame. Anyway, I end up being better known”.
She now faces a possible prison sentence after being accused of intentionally entering or staying in any restricted building or land without legal authority; knowingly engage in disorderly or disturbing conduct in any restricted buildings or grounds; violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol land and theft of government property.
Joseph Prezioso / AFP / Getty
Courtright also posted deleted videos on Twitter, showing herself and other members of the mafia shouting, “Whose house? Our house” while inside the Capitol.
After being contacted by the authorities, she confirmed that she thought she had entered the US Senate House during her participation. The authorities also contacted her father, with whom she stayed at the West Virginia home. Her father confirmed that she had participated in the Capitol riots.
In her Twitter posts, Courtright said that none of the rebels were being violent and she told CNN and Fox News to “think for themselves” while posting an image of herself walking alongside like-minded protesters. She has since deleted her Instagram and Twitter accounts.
The attack left five dead, including a Capitol officer. Dozens of police were also injured in the insurrection, including one who was beaten by an American flag.
A Reuters photojournalist said he heard rebels inside the Capitol actively hunting Vice President Pence with the aim of killing him for refusing to oppose Biden’s electoral victory. At another point, protesters seized the weapon of Capitol Policeman Michael Fanone and encouraged his new owner to kill him with it.
The rebels also shattered windows when trying to access Congressional chambers, spilled feces in the hall and stole computer equipment, potentially a violation of national security.
Newsweek contacted the FBI for comment.