Knoxville man faces charges from Jan. 6 riot after messaging friend, 'I was in the capital ;)'

Federal agents on Tuesday arrested a Knoxville man on charges he illegally entered the U.S. Capitol during the Jan. 6 riot and then bragged about it to others.

Clifford Meteer, 66, is accused of climbing the stone handrailing of a staircase and entering the building carrying a sign that read "STOP THE STEAL" on one side and "SAVE THE REPUBLIC" on the other.

Witnesses identified him as a man seen on video footage walking through the building for about 30 minutes, according to the criminal complaint unsealed in U.S. District Court in D.C. Meteer left after being removed from a hallway by a police officer.

Like many of the hundreds of people arrested in connection to the insurrection that left several dead, Meteer openly talked about his actions on social media, federal authorities allege. The day before the riot, he wrote in a Facebook comment, "I'll be in DC on the 6th protesting the stolen election," according to the complaint.

Read more: https://www.knoxnews.com/story/news/crime/2021/08/10/knoxville-clifford-meteer-arrested-connection-jan-6-capitol-riot/5559744001/

Lock him up!