WASHINGTON — A former government employment was arrested this week and charged with a felony for allegedly submitting tips to the FBI falsely accusing at least seven people of participating in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.
Miguel Eugenio Zapata, aka Michael Zapata, was charged with one count of providing materially false statements to law enforcement. He was arrested Thursday in Chantilly, Virginia, and made an initial appearance the same day in federal court in D.C., where he was released on a personal recognizance bond.
According to charging documents, between Feb. 10 and April 11, 2021, the FBI received at least seven anonymous tips alleging seven different government employees and contractors were involved in the Jan. 6 riot. The tips alleged the individuals were either present at the Capitol or had shared classified information with individuals or groups who were present “with the intent to assist these groups in overthrowing the United States government,” according to a statement of facts.
The tips were made from four different IP addresses, however investigators were able to trace them to a single account on a web anonymizer allegedly owned by Zapata. According to charging documents, Zapata is a former government employee who previously worked with all seven individuals named in the tips.
In the tips, investigators said, Zapata made a range of accusations against the seven individuals, including that they were involved with extremist groups and had contributed to the breach of police barricades:
- One tip involving two individuals made on Feb. 10, 2021, claimed an individual was “actively engaged in attempting to overthrow the government of the United States.”
- Another tip, made on Feb. 16, 2021, claimed two other individuals “attended the U.S. Capitol riot and insurrection and was present when storming the Capitol.”
- A third tip made the same day claimed one of the individuals had taken an “active role in leading the riot and storming the US Captiol [sic] to hunt for politicians and execute them.” The tip also claimed the individual had bragged about their association with the Boogaloo Bois, Proud Boys and Oath Keepers and had shared classified information with them.
However, investigators determined none of the individuals named in the tips were in Washington D.C. on Jan. 6 or involved in the attack on the Capitol and were in fact working at the time of the riot. Although their positions in the government were not specified, according to charging documents, at least five of the individuals held security clearances at the time the tips were made.
In addition to tips made to the FBI, according to the statement of facts, Zapata also sent anonymous reports to at least some of the individuals’ employers.
According to the statement of facts, investigators were also able to obtain records showing Zapata used the web anonymizer to conduct research on some of the individuals and to search for disposable or “burner” email and phone number services.
Zapata was ordered to appear in federal court on May 23 for a preliminary hearing. According to court records, he was being represented by the Federal Public Defender for D.C.