Topline: The man who once faced federal charges for storming the January 6 Capitol riot and was later pardoned by Donald Trump is now in legal trouble for an alleged train attack.
Published: March 5, 2026 4:00 pm ET
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Screenshot of social media user "bryan_patriot_1776" showing individual believed to be Bryan Betancur (via U.S. Department of Justice).
ARLINGTON, VA — A Maryland man accused of assaulting a woman aboard a Silver Line Metro train has been arrested after Metro Transit Police issued a public appeal for help locating him.
In an update posted to its X account, the Metro Transit Police Department said, “Late last night, our officers located and arrested 28-year-old Bryan Betancur. Anyone with information about this individual is still encouraged to contact MTPD.”
Bryan Betancur, 28, of Silver Spring, had been wanted on an active arrest warrant issued through Arlington County General District Court for an alleged assault and battery that occurred around 10:09 p.m. Sunday, March 1, on a Silver Line train servicing the Clarendon Metro Station, according to police and court records.
According to NBC4 Washington, a woman riding the train Sunday night reported that a stranger repeatedly put his hands in her hair. News4 obtained video from a livestream on X posted that same night from an account belonging to Betancur. Metro Transit Police charged Betancur with assault and battery for allegedly touching someone on a Metro train.
News4 reported that it asked WMATA multiple times whether the livestream video is part of the agency’s investigation but had not heard back. The station was also sent a second video allegedly showing a similar incident. That video, which has since been deleted, was pulled from Betancur’s X account by Amanda Moore.
Moore told News4 that the behavior was not new. “He has a long history of terrorizing women and teenage girls, and we’ve all been waiting for so long, some people since they were in high school, for this moment. and we’re all just so happy,” she said.
She added, “Women for at least the last 14 years of this guy’s life have been victimized by him, and it’s just getting worse and worse.”
Metro Transit Police acknowledged the circulating videos in a separate social media post, writing, “We are aware of videos circulating on social media depicting inappropriate behavior toward Metro customers. We’re taking reports seriously and actively investigating every lead.”
According to 7News, police arrested Betancur late Monday night. The assault and battery warrant was filed in Arlington County, but Betancur is being held in Montgomery County, awaiting extradition. A Montgomery County judge denied bail Wednesday. Arlington County has 30 days to transfer him, and he can request bail again once there, according to NBC4.
The arrest has drawn reaction from regular Metro riders. “Thank goodness,” frequent rider Jennifer Vo told WUSA9. “I’m glad he’s not on these streets.” Another rider, Terry Adgerson, described the incident as unsettling. “It’s really scary,” Adgerson said. “I just started carrying mace.”
Betancur’s background has also drawn renewed scrutiny.
According to WUSA9, Betancur previously spent four months in prison for participating in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. He was convicted of illegally entering the Capitol after admitting he climbed scaffolding and helped pass furniture out of a congressional office window as part of his plea agreement. At the time, he was on GPS monitoring for a burglary case in Montgomery County and had obtained permission to enter the District after telling officials he planned to hand out Bibles.
Charging documents described him as a “self-professed white supremacist” who said he wanted to be a “lone-wolf killer.” Court records show he was pardoned by President Donald Trump on the day of his inauguration in 2025.
The FBI has said Betancur is a self-professed white supremacist and that he was photographed holding a Confederate flag during the Jan. 6 insurrection as part of the federal case against him, NBC4 reported. He had been on parole for burglary charges and wearing an ankle monitor while taking part in the Capitol riot, according to federal documents cited by the station.
WUSA9 also reported that in 2024, Betancur violated an anti-stalking order involving D.C. activist Brianne Chapman several times and was returned to jail for two months. He was sentenced to two years of probation.
Online records indicate Betancur is expected to appear in court for a bond review hearing that could determine whether he will be extradited to Arlington County, where the alleged Metro assault occurred.
Metro Transit Police Lt. Raymond Yslas told WUSA9 that investigators are aware of the social media reports and are actively investigating. He encouraged anyone who sees or experiences inappropriate behavior to report it by calling (202) 962-2121 or texting 696873.
In its most recent update, Metro Transit Police reiterated that anyone with additional information about Betancur is encouraged to contact the department as the investigation continues.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Man Pardoned by Trump for Capitol Riot Now Charged in Metro Train Assault
The man who once faced federal charges for storming the January 6 Capitol riot and was later pardoned by Donald Trump is now in legal trouble for an alleged train attack.
By Jacob Charles
Published: March 5, 2026 4:00 pm ET
Screenshot of social media user "bryan_patriot_1776" showing individual believed to be Bryan Betancur (via U.S. Department of Justice).
ARLINGTON, VA — A Maryland man accused of assaulting a woman aboard a Silver Line Metro train has been arrested after Metro Transit Police issued a public appeal for help locating him.
In an update posted to its X account, the Metro Transit Police Department said, “Late last night, our officers located and arrested 28-year-old Bryan Betancur. Anyone with information about this individual is still encouraged to contact MTPD.”
Bryan Betancur, 28, of Silver Spring, had been wanted on an active arrest warrant issued through Arlington County General District Court for an alleged assault and battery that occurred around 10:09 p.m. Sunday, March 1, on a Silver Line train servicing the Clarendon Metro Station, according to police and court records.
According to NBC4 Washington, a woman riding the train Sunday night reported that a stranger repeatedly put his hands in her hair. News4 obtained video from a livestream on X posted that same night from an account belonging to Betancur. Metro Transit Police charged Betancur with assault and battery for allegedly touching someone on a Metro train.
News4 reported that it asked WMATA multiple times whether the livestream video is part of the agency’s investigation but had not heard back. The station was also sent a second video allegedly showing a similar incident. That video, which has since been deleted, was pulled from Betancur’s X account by Amanda Moore.
Moore told News4 that the behavior was not new. “He has a long history of terrorizing women and teenage girls, and we’ve all been waiting for so long, some people since they were in high school, for this moment. and we’re all just so happy,” she said.
She added, “Women for at least the last 14 years of this guy’s life have been victimized by him, and it’s just getting worse and worse.”
Metro Transit Police acknowledged the circulating videos in a separate social media post, writing, “We are aware of videos circulating on social media depicting inappropriate behavior toward Metro customers. We’re taking reports seriously and actively investigating every lead.”
According to 7News, police arrested Betancur late Monday night. The assault and battery warrant was filed in Arlington County, but Betancur is being held in Montgomery County, awaiting extradition. A Montgomery County judge denied bail Wednesday. Arlington County has 30 days to transfer him, and he can request bail again once there, according to NBC4.
The arrest has drawn reaction from regular Metro riders. “Thank goodness,” frequent rider Jennifer Vo told WUSA9. “I’m glad he’s not on these streets.” Another rider, Terry Adgerson, described the incident as unsettling. “It’s really scary,” Adgerson said. “I just started carrying mace.”
Betancur’s background has also drawn renewed scrutiny.
According to WUSA9, Betancur previously spent four months in prison for participating in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. He was convicted of illegally entering the Capitol after admitting he climbed scaffolding and helped pass furniture out of a congressional office window as part of his plea agreement. At the time, he was on GPS monitoring for a burglary case in Montgomery County and had obtained permission to enter the District after telling officials he planned to hand out Bibles.
Charging documents described him as a “self-professed white supremacist” who said he wanted to be a “lone-wolf killer.” Court records show he was pardoned by President Donald Trump on the day of his inauguration in 2025.
The FBI has said Betancur is a self-professed white supremacist and that he was photographed holding a Confederate flag during the Jan. 6 insurrection as part of the federal case against him, NBC4 reported. He had been on parole for burglary charges and wearing an ankle monitor while taking part in the Capitol riot, according to federal documents cited by the station.
WUSA9 also reported that in 2024, Betancur violated an anti-stalking order involving D.C. activist Brianne Chapman several times and was returned to jail for two months. He was sentenced to two years of probation.
Online records indicate Betancur is expected to appear in court for a bond review hearing that could determine whether he will be extradited to Arlington County, where the alleged Metro assault occurred.
Metro Transit Police Lt. Raymond Yslas told WUSA9 that investigators are aware of the social media reports and are actively investigating. He encouraged anyone who sees or experiences inappropriate behavior to report it by calling (202) 962-2121 or texting 696873.
In its most recent update, Metro Transit Police reiterated that anyone with additional information about Betancur is encouraged to contact the department as the investigation continues.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Man Pardoned by Trump for Capitol Riot Now Charged in Metro Train Assault
The man who once faced federal charges for storming the January 6 Capitol riot and was later pardoned by Donald Trump is now in legal trouble for an alleged train attack.
By Jacob Charles
Published: March 5, 2026 4:00 pm ET
Screenshot of social media user "bryan_patriot_1776" showing individual believed to be Bryan Betancur (via U.S. Department of Justice).
ARLINGTON, VA — A Maryland man accused of assaulting a woman aboard a Silver Line Metro train has been arrested after Metro Transit Police issued a public appeal for help locating him.
In an update posted to its X account, the Metro Transit Police Department said, “Late last night, our officers located and arrested 28-year-old Bryan Betancur. Anyone with information about this individual is still encouraged to contact MTPD.”
Bryan Betancur, 28, of Silver Spring, had been wanted on an active arrest warrant issued through Arlington County General District Court for an alleged assault and battery that occurred around 10:09 p.m. Sunday, March 1, on a Silver Line train servicing the Clarendon Metro Station, according to police and court records.
According to NBC4 Washington, a woman riding the train Sunday night reported that a stranger repeatedly put his hands in her hair. News4 obtained video from a livestream on X posted that same night from an account belonging to Betancur. Metro Transit Police charged Betancur with assault and battery for allegedly touching someone on a Metro train.
News4 reported that it asked WMATA multiple times whether the livestream video is part of the agency’s investigation but had not heard back. The station was also sent a second video allegedly showing a similar incident. That video, which has since been deleted, was pulled from Betancur’s X account by Amanda Moore.
Moore told News4 that the behavior was not new. “He has a long history of terrorizing women and teenage girls, and we’ve all been waiting for so long, some people since they were in high school, for this moment. and we’re all just so happy,” she said.
She added, “Women for at least the last 14 years of this guy’s life have been victimized by him, and it’s just getting worse and worse.”
Metro Transit Police acknowledged the circulating videos in a separate social media post, writing, “We are aware of videos circulating on social media depicting inappropriate behavior toward Metro customers. We’re taking reports seriously and actively investigating every lead.”
According to 7News, police arrested Betancur late Monday night. The assault and battery warrant was filed in Arlington County, but Betancur is being held in Montgomery County, awaiting extradition. A Montgomery County judge denied bail Wednesday. Arlington County has 30 days to transfer him, and he can request bail again once there, according to NBC4.
The arrest has drawn reaction from regular Metro riders. “Thank goodness,” frequent rider Jennifer Vo told WUSA9. “I’m glad he’s not on these streets.” Another rider, Terry Adgerson, described the incident as unsettling. “It’s really scary,” Adgerson said. “I just started carrying mace.”
Betancur’s background has also drawn renewed scrutiny.
According to WUSA9, Betancur previously spent four months in prison for participating in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. He was convicted of illegally entering the Capitol after admitting he climbed scaffolding and helped pass furniture out of a congressional office window as part of his plea agreement. At the time, he was on GPS monitoring for a burglary case in Montgomery County and had obtained permission to enter the District after telling officials he planned to hand out Bibles.
Charging documents described him as a “self-professed white supremacist” who said he wanted to be a “lone-wolf killer.” Court records show he was pardoned by President Donald Trump on the day of his inauguration in 2025.
The FBI has said Betancur is a self-professed white supremacist and that he was photographed holding a Confederate flag during the Jan. 6 insurrection as part of the federal case against him, NBC4 reported. He had been on parole for burglary charges and wearing an ankle monitor while taking part in the Capitol riot, according to federal documents cited by the station.
WUSA9 also reported that in 2024, Betancur violated an anti-stalking order involving D.C. activist Brianne Chapman several times and was returned to jail for two months. He was sentenced to two years of probation.
Online records indicate Betancur is expected to appear in court for a bond review hearing that could determine whether he will be extradited to Arlington County, where the alleged Metro assault occurred.
Metro Transit Police Lt. Raymond Yslas told WUSA9 that investigators are aware of the social media reports and are actively investigating. He encouraged anyone who sees or experiences inappropriate behavior to report it by calling (202) 962-2121 or texting 696873.
In its most recent update, Metro Transit Police reiterated that anyone with additional information about Betancur is encouraged to contact the department as the investigation continues.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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