Salisbury man arrested for alleged involvement in January 6th Capitol breach

SALISBURY, Md. – A Salisbury man has been charged in connection to his conduct at the U.S. Capitol breach on January 6th, 2021.

52-year-old Carlos Ayala is charged with civil disorder, a felony, and other misdemeanor offenses. Ayala was arrested on January 9th, and will make his initial court appearance in Washington D.C.

The United States Attorney’s Office filed the charges after they say Ayala was identified among a group of rioters illegally gathered on Capitol grounds on the day in question. At that time, prosecutors say Ayala climbed over police barricades, before making his way to the Upper West Terrace of the Capitol.

Surveillance footage shows Ayala moving toward the front of the crowd gathered outside the Senate Wing door, waving a distinctive flag. United States Capitol Police (USPC) had constructed a makeshift barricade to the door, and prosecutors say a rioter was seen on camera jabbing a flag and flag pole at a USPC officer.

Court documents indicate that the flag matched the description of Ayala’s flag, which he had been holding moments before. However, Ayala is not visible on surveillance footage throughout the entire incident.

Ayala is seen on camera leaving the area just minutes before he is first seen in it. However, he is seen shortly after on police body camera footage pacing in front of officers, gesturing at them and saying “Join us!”

The United States Attorney’s Office says more than 1,265 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol.