Mahopac Man Charged In U.S. Capitol Attack

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — A Mahopac man is the latest Hudson Valley resident to be arrested in connection with the riot at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6.

Robert Ballesteros, 27, turned himself in to the FBI in Westchester County on Monday. According to court records, authorities started investigating him after a tip he posted a video and had an online conversation about storming the Capitol.

Prosecutors alleged Ballesteros posted "Made my stand" in Washington, D.C., as insurrectionists tried to stop the certification of the presidential election.

In court documents, an FBI agent said he obtained records from Ballesteros' Instagram account and reviewed two conversations in which he discussed his participation.

Ballesteros is charged with knowingly entering and remaining on restricted grounds without lawful authority and/or engaging in disorderly conduct within proximity to a restricted building to impede official functions.

He was arraigned virtually this week in federal court in Washington, D.C. He is scheduled for another virtual court appearance March 22.

He is the ninth current or former Hudson Valley resident to be charged in connection with the riot.

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