Los Angeles Woman Arrested on Felony and Misdemeanor Charges for Actions During Jan. 6 Capitol Breach

            WASHINGTON — A Los Angeles woman has been arrested on felony and misdemeanor charges related to her alleged conduct during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Her alleged actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election.

            Kayla Reifschneider, 27, of Los Angeles, California, is charged in a criminal complaint filed in the District of Columbia with a felony offense of obstruction of an official proceeding and several misdemeanor offenses, including entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, and act of physical violence in the Capitol grounds or buildings.

            The FBI arrested Reifschneider today in Los Angeles, and she will make her initial appearance in the Central District of California.

            According to court documents, Reifschneider traveled from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. for Jan. 6, 2021. Reifschneider was a member of the Telegram group, "PATRIOTS45 MAGA Gang" ("Patriots 45"). Patriots 45 was organized to support then-President Donald Trump and to discuss what its members claimed they viewed as fraudulent election results.

            In one post to the Telegram group, Reifschneider shared a screenshot of a Tweet from another individual, which read, "If you're in D.C. on January 6th, STAY HOME! The domestic terrorists (Boogaloos, Prod Boys, etc.) are planning to break into federal buildings, cause violence against law enforcement, burn down buildings, and even try to shoot up federal employees and lawmakers. STAY HOME!!!!!!!!" 

            After sharing that screenshot, Reifschneider wrote, "Lmfaooo. What a l[os]er." Another user responded, "Real Trump supporters are looking to arrest traitors like Nancy and Mitch and Biden etc. not attack buildings lol."  Reifschneider replied, “Exactly.  We arent antifa and blm. We have an actual mission."  Reifschneider also discussed planning to provide that same individual with weapons—including a stun gun and pepper spray—to transport to Washington, D.C. in advance of January 6^th.

            Reifschneider was depicted in open-source video footage from Jan. 6, 2021, on the Upper West Terrace, yelling obscenities at police. She then left the area and joined a group of rioters on the east side of the Capitol, where members of the media had set up.

            The media members were behind bike racks, separating themselves from the crowd. In an open-source video at this location, Reifschneider can be seen yelling at members of the media.  After other rioters knocked over and removed bike racks, Reifschneider was seen climbing over a small wall that had separated the media from the rioters. 

            As media members are forced to flee and media equipment destroyed, Reifschneider cheers and yells, "Get rid of it, b—. That's right, we're throwing your f—ing s—." She is then seen spitting in the direction of the media and yelling, "mother f—! F— you! That's spit, b—'! Get f— COVID!" She is then seen approaching, lifting, and throwing a helmet in the direction of another individual. Moments later, Reifschneider is seen approaching a camera on the ground and stepping on it with her foot. She then leans down, lifts the camera, and throws it back to the ground.  Reifschneider then yells, “It shows my f— anger" and "F— you!" 

            In another open-source video, capturing the following moments, Reifschneider celebrates. She raises a middle finger and yells, "F— you! It's been four years I've been wanting to do this!"

            On January 6th, Reifschneider texted another individual, "Time to show them who they should be afraid of.  Curfew at 6. We will not comply." That individual wrote back on the morning of January 7, 2021, "So they beat the crap out of the police?" Reifschneider responded, "I definitely saw one getting help. Limping. We f—ed them up worse than antifa and blm. Lmao."

            The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division's Counterterrorism Section are prosecuting this case. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California provided valuable assistance.

            The FBI's Los Angeles and Washington Field Offices are investigating this case. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.

            In the 38 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,358 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 486 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, a felony. The investigation remains ongoing.

            Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.

            A complaint is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.