DEA agent accused of breaching police lines during Capitol riots

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Ibrahim allegedly told investigators from the Justice Department’s Office of the Inspector General that he did not show his DEA badge or firearm during the protest, but an affidavit supporting the charges says he provided several photos in which he intentionally showed his badge. In addition to the gun installed on his hip. Two were included in the court filing.

After media reports surfaced in March that Abraham was at the Capitol, his attorney Darren Ritchie acknowledged that the DEA had arrested Ibrahim for being at the event.

“Mr. Ritchie told various news outlets in March that Ibrahim was not part of any transgression or violence, nor was he involved in any transgression or violence, which he strongly denounced. He also alleged that Ibrahim helped the authorities by filming videos To some of what happened in the Capitol that day.

Ritchie told Politico on Tuesday that “Ibrahim was not involved in any riots. He did not commit any violence, did not attempt to enter any building, and did not incite or promote others to do so,” and that “the indictment resulted from conjecture, political pressure, and a flawed attempt to plot a story.” identified through images taken entirely out of their context.”

Ibrahim’s status in the DEA is unclear. An affidavit given to the court by the Justice Department’s attorney general said Ibrahim was a “probationary employee” of the Drug Enforcement Administration at the time of the riots and had given notice of plans to resign several weeks ago. Chief Special Agent Jason Hegley said Ibrahim was on personal leave on January 6 and “was not on DEA duty and had no role as a law enforcement officer on the Capitol Grounds.”

Hegley said Ibrahim told investigators that he went to the events in Washington with a friend whom the FBI had asked to document the event. The inspector general said the friend denied that account and said the FBI had not given him directions or an order to walk.

The friend also said that Ibrahim attended the rally to promote a political podcast “Liberty Tavern” and a cigar brand he was considering launching.

Photos taken during the protest show Ibrahim holding a pole bearing the 13-state US flag, designed by Betsy Ross, and a white flag emblazoned with one blue star and the words, “Freedom or Death.”

According to Hegley, Ibrahim was in a WhatsApp chat with at least five other law enforcement officers on the day of the riot and sent several photos of him. At some point during the afternoon, one of the other officers wrote to Ibrahim: “A question mark, are you carrying your duty weapon and your badge/papers? I need to know this mark.”

During an interview with the OIG in March, Ibrahim admitted he had those things in person, but denied bragging about them. “I had my credits. I had a firearm and my badge . . . but not exposed to it . . . that is not what I know,” he said, according to Hegley.

DEA spokesmen did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

While more than 500 people have been charged with illegally entering the Capitol, federal charges have been rare against those who crossed police lines outside the building, though some have been accused of clashing with police or destroying property.

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