ARLINGTON VIRGINIA, A man previously convicted in connection with the January 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol breach and later pardoned has been arrested after allegedly assaulting a woman aboard a Washington-area Metro train.
Metro Transit Police identified the suspect as 28-year-old Bryan Betancur. He has been charged with assault and battery following an incident that occurred Sunday night on the Metro Silver Line near Clarendon Station in Arlington.
Authorities said the incident took place at approximately 10:00 p.m. Police allege Betancur touched a woman’s hair while on the train and recorded the interaction. Investigators say the act was broadcast during a livestream.
Metro Transit Police announced the arrest Monday evening after becoming aware of videos circulating online that showed what they described as inappropriate behavior toward Metro passengers. Betancur was taken into custody later that night.
Video from the livestream reportedly showed a hand reaching toward at least one passenger’s hair during the train ride. Police have asked anyone with additional information about the incident to contact investigators.
Betancur previously pleaded guilty in May 2022 to entering and remaining in a restricted building during the January 6 breach of the U.S. Capitol. He was sentenced to four months in prison for that offense.
Federal court records related to the earlier case stated that Betancur had posted images and video of himself at the Capitol during the incident.
On January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump issued pardons to more than 1,500 individuals charged or convicted in connection with the Capitol breach, including Betancur.
The current assault and battery charge was filed in Arlington County, Virginia. The investigation remains ongoing.
