Virginia Man Wearing 'Camp Auschwitz' Sweatshirt Appears In Court

HAMPTON ROADS, VA — A Hampton Roads man who was photographed wearing a sweatshirt with the words “Camp Auschwitz” while at last week's insurrection at the U.S. Capitol was scheduled to make his first court appearance in Norfolk on Wednesday on charges related to the riot, reports indicated.

Robert Keith Packer, 56, was arrested by federal authorities and was turned over to U.S. marshals, according to media reports. Parker has been charged with knowingly entering or remaining in a restricted building without lawful authority, and violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds, the report stated.

The sweatshirt worn by Parker also included the words “Work Brings Freedom,” which is the German phrase “Arbeit macht frei” that was emblazoned on the iron gates at Auschwitz, a World War II complex of more than 40 concentration and extermination camps operated by Nazi forces during the Holocaust. More than 1 million people were killed at Auschwitz.

CNN reported earlier this week that Packer worked previously as a welder and pipe-fitter and was a “long-time extremist who has had run-ins with the law.” The network said that Packer has three prior convictions for driving under the influence of alcohol and a felony conviction for forging public records.

Packer’s photo was not among those released as someone who was wanted by the FBI in connection with the deadly rioting that took place at the Capitol as lawmakers were attempting to certify the Electoral College results showing President-elect Joe Biden’s victory of President Donald Trump.

According to media reports out of Hampton Roads earlier this week, Packer is described as someone who keeps to himself, according to a neighbor next to a vacant lot owned by Packer in Hampton. Sydney Cohen told WAVY News that she does not plan to speak to Packer, whom she said she recognized as the man wearing the sweatshirt at last week's riot at the Capitol.

"When you wear a T-shirt that glorifies the atrocities during World War II against the Jewish people and other people. It really hurts your heart,” Cohen told the television station.