Rochester woman charged for role in Capitol riot
A Rochester woman has been arrested and charged with multiple crimes in connection to her alleged role in the January 6 invasion of the U.S. Capitol.
Victoria White, 39, was taken into custody by the FBI Thursday morning in Rochester, after investigators linked her to pictures, videos, and Facebook posts related to the insurrection. The event left five dead, including a Capitol police officer. More than 130 other officers were injured in the storming.
“[T]here is probable cause to believe Victoria White was present on U.S. Capitol grounds, forced her way into the lower west terrace tunnel of the U.S. Capitol building, and committed related offenses, including the obstruction of Congressional proceedings at the U.S. Capitol building,” reads the FBI’s statement of facts.
The document goes on to show what appears to be White in multiple pictures and videos taken on the scene, wearing a MAGA hat and a black coat. She is pictured arguing and restraining people who tried to break a window near a Capitol entrance, then hoisting up rioters trying to scale the Capitol's terrace.
Later on, White appears to move to the front of the mob at the west terrace of the Capitol building, directly confronting a group of U.S. Capitol officers blocking the doorway.
“As the video progresses, the MPD officers attempt to push White back with their riot shields and fend her off with a baton,” the statement adds. “White is seen in a red sweater, and it appears that she is attempting to grab a shield and uses her hand to block the baton.”
White was arrested and processed shortly after coming into contact with the officers. She was released later that evening without any charges filed.
The FBI, however, later received a tip regarding White. The agent in charge of White’s file says a major link was discovered on White’s Facebook page — her profile picture showed her, among others, at the Capitol in the same outfit seen in the fact statement. The profile, created under the pseudonym Janice Marie Evans, has since been hidden, but one post captured by the FBI provides more potential evidence of White’s role in the event.
“A friend said Delete FB stuff. . . . I stated I’m not scared i was in the capitol DETAINED and they took my social security # name address they are coming for me. I am not afraid of them or anyone!! There I said it Come get me, You don’t know the story, it’s not what you think,” White reportedly wrote.
White made her first court appearance Thursday afternoon, where she was charged with six crimes:
Knowingly Entering or Remaining in any Restricted Building or Grounds Without Lawful Authority
Disorderly and Disruptive Conduct in a Restricted Building or Grounds
Violent Entry and Disorderly Conduct on Capitol Grounds
Parading, Demonstrating, or Picketing in a Capitol Building
Impeding or Attempting to Impede Law Enforcement Officers Performing Official Duties
Obstruction of Justice/Congress
Her next court appearance is scheduled for April 15. White is the second Minnesotan to be arrested — Jordan Stotts, a 31-year-old from Moorhead, is the other. Roughly 400 people nationwide have been arrested in connection to the riot.
Cover image: screenshot of YouTube used by the FBI to link White to the January 6 Capitol riot
