MIAMI LAKES, Fla. – Federal authorities arrested a South Florida woman who participated in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot on felony and misdemeanor charges, officials said Monday.
Prosecutors allege that Barbara Balmaseda, 23, of Miami Lakes, was near the front of the mob that stormed the U.S. Capitol in an attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election and keep former president Donald Trump in power.
Authorities said they arrested Balmaseda on Thursday and she has since appeared in federal court in the Southern District of Florida.
Investigators said they discovered Balmaseda while they were digging into Gabriel Garcia, a well-known member of the Vice City Proud Boys and a former member of the Miami-Dade Republican Party’s Executive Committee.
Garcia was already found guilty on multiple Jan. 6-related charges and Balmaseda, according to charging documents, not only traveled with Garcia to Washington, but was seen in multiple surveillance clips inside of the Capitol during the violent riot.
Balmaseda “climbed on equipment that had been staged in preparation for the (inauguration) to gain closer access to the Capitol’s northwest stairs” in order to breach the building, authorities allege.
The night before the insurrection, Balmaseda took photos of herself and Garcia with another man while she’s wearing a black hat with a pink American flag, as well as a black and pink face covering.
She faces a felony charge of obstruction of an official proceeding, as well as misdemeanor charges of entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly conduct in a Capitol building or grounds and parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building.
Balmaseda was given a $100,000 surety bond in federal court Thursday, which means she did not have to post bail, but if she does not appear in court later, she can be sued for that amount. She’s also prohibited from leaving South Florida except for court hearing in Washington and may not own any guns.
Balmaseda is among more than 1,200 people charged in connection with the attack. More than 115 Floridians have been arrested on Jan. 6-related charges, the most of any state.