The Los Angeles Post
U.S. World Business Lifestyle
Today: April 05, 2025
Today: April 05, 2025

Army soldier charged with assaulting police officer with a flagpole during Capitol riot

Capitol Riot Then and Now
September 11, 2024

A U.S. Army soldier has been arrested in Hawaii on charges that he repeatedly struck a police officer with a flagpole during a mob's attack on the U.S. Capitol more than three years ago, according to court records unsealed on Wednesday.

Alexander Cain Poplin was arrested on Tuesday at Schofield Barracks, an Army installation near Honolulu. Poplin, 31, of Wahiawa, Hawaii, was scheduled to make his initial appearance in federal court on Wednesday.

The FBI received a tip in February 2021 that Poplin had posted on Facebook about attacking police during the Capitol riot. Poplin wrote that “we took our house back” and “stood for something,” according to an FBI task force officer's affidavit.

In July 2024, the FBI investigator interviewed Poplin's military supervisor, who identified him in a photograph showing him wearing an Army camouflage backpack inside the restricted area of the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

Poplin attended then-President Donald Trump's “Stop the Steal” rally near the White House on Jan. 6. He joined the mob of Trump supporters who gathered at the Capitol, where lawmakers were meeting to certify President Joe Biden's 2020 electoral victory.

On the Capitol's Lower West Plaza, Poplin carried an “Area Closed” sign in his left hand and a flagpole bearing a blue flag in his right hand. A video captured him repeatedly striking a Metropolitan Police Department officer with the flagpole, the FBI affidavit says.

Poplin was arrested on a complaint charging him with five counts, including felony charges of interfering with police during a civil disorder and assaulting, resisting or impeding police with a dangerous weapon.

An attorney assigned to represent Poplin at Wednesday's hearing in Hawaii didn't immediately respond to an email seeking comment on the charges.

Nearly 1,500 people have been charged with Capitol riot-related federal crimes. Many rioters were military veterans, but only a handful were on active duty on Jan. 6. Approximately 140 police officers were injured in the attack.

___

Associated Press writer Lolita C. Baldor in Washington contributed.

Related Articles

Harris is speaking at the same spot where Trump fanned anger on Jan. 6, 2021. Here's what happened Donald Trump campaign manager shared posts in 2021 saying Trump’s lies caused the violence on January 6 Trump compares jailed Capitol rioters to Japanese internment during World War II Brazil seeks extradition of January 8 rioters currently in Argentina
Share This

Popular

Asia|Crime|Political|World

Philippines alarmed over China arrest of alleged Filipino spies

Philippines alarmed over China arrest of alleged Filipino spies
Celebrity|Crime|Entertainment|US

‘The most powerful type of liar’: Tapper asks Anna Delvey how she views her criminal past

‘The most powerful type of liar’: Tapper asks Anna Delvey how she views her criminal past
Crime|Europe|Political|World

Sex toys and exploding cosmetics: anatomy of a 'hybrid war' on the West

Sex toys and exploding cosmetics: anatomy of a 'hybrid war' on the West
Crime|Europe|World

You shouldn't buy a piece of a saint. Catholic Church denounces online sale of Carlo Acutis relics

You shouldn't buy a piece of a saint. Catholic Church denounces online sale of Carlo Acutis relics

Crime

Crime|Political|US

Prosecutors seek 7 years in prison for disgraced ex-US Rep. George Santos in federal fraud case

Prosecutors seek 7 years in prison for disgraced ex-US Rep. George Santos in federal fraud case
Crime|Election|Political|US

George Santos should serve over 7 years in prison, US prosecutors say

George Santos should serve over 7 years in prison, US prosecutors say
Arts|Celebrity|Crime|Entertainment|US

Ex-assistant says filmmaker Paul Schrader sexually assaulted her and backed out of settlement deal

Ex-assistant says filmmaker Paul Schrader sexually assaulted her and backed out of settlement deal
Crime|Political|US

Georgia bill would compensate the wrongfully convicted and let Trump recover costs of election case

Georgia bill would compensate the wrongfully convicted and let Trump recover costs of election case

Access this article for free.

Already have an account? Sign In