A Georgia teenager has pleaded guilty to illegally carrying a firearm onto U.S. Capitol grounds while armed with a loaded shotgun and wearing body armor. Carter Camacho, 18, of Smyrna, Georgia, was apprehended outside the Capitol on Feb. 17.
According to federal prosecutors, Camacho told officers he intended to confront members of Congress and "scare them into speaking the truth." He did not enter the building, and no one was injured.
Camacho pleaded guilty to two counts: illegal possession of a firearm on Capitol grounds and receipt or distribution of child pornography, the latter charge stemming from a search of his phone after his arrest. Surveillance video showed Camacho exiting a car and running toward the west side of the Capitol with the shotgun. He complied with Capitol Police commands to stop.
Prosecutors stated that Camacho purchased the shotgun less than a week before his drive from Georgia, claiming it was for "home defense." He also reportedly had pepper spray and other tactical gear in his car. He indicated to police that he had considered using the shotgun to breach a door to enter the Capitol.
Camacho has remained jailed since his arrest and is scheduled to be sentenced on December 8 by U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta in Washington, D.C.