A Georgia teenager who approached the U.S. Capitol armed with a loaded shotgun and wearing body armor has pleaded guilty to illegally carrying a firearm, according to court records.
Carter Camacho, 18, of Smyrna, Georgia, was apprehended by Capitol Police officers outside the building on Feb. 17. He told officers he intended to confront members of Congress and "scare them into speaking the truth," federal prosecutors stated. Camacho did not enter the Capitol building, and no one was injured during the incident.
Camacho pleaded guilty to two counts: illegal possession of a firearm on Capitol grounds and receipt or distribution of child pornography. The latter charge originated from a search of his phone following his arrest.
Surveillance video showed Camacho exiting a vehicle and running toward the west side of the Capitol with the shotgun in his hands. He complied with officers' commands to stop and lie on the ground.
Camacho told police he had purchased the shotgun for "home defense" less than a week prior to driving from Georgia to Washington, D.C. Prosecutors also noted that he had left pepper spray and other tactical gear in his car, stating "just in case I don't want to shoot anyone." He also indicated that he considered using the shotgun to breach a door to enter the Capitol.
Camacho is currently jailed and is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 8 by U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta in Washington, D.C.