MD Elections Official Charged For Role In Jan. 6 Capitol Riot: DOJ

SALISBURY, MD — A member of the Maryland State Board of Elections was arrested and charged this week after federal authorities said he took part in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Carlos Ayala, 52, of Salisbury, was charged with felony civil disorder and other misdemeanor offenses for his role in the attack, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia said in a release.

Ayala, a Republican, was confirmed to the state elections board in March 2023 as one of two Maryland Republican Party representatives. The board oversees nearly all functions for Maryland elections.

Two officials familiar with the matter, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, confirmed to The Washington Post that the man charged is the same Ayala on the elections board.

Maryland Board of Elections Administrator Jared DeMarinis confirmed to the Post that Ayala resigned Thursday morning.

According to federal prosecutors, Ayala was among of group of rioters who gathered on restricted Capitol grounds as a joint session of Congress gathered to certify the results of the 2020 presidential election.

According to prosecutors, Ayala carried a black and white flag affixed to a PVC pipe bearing the words "We the People" and "DEFEND." Prosecutors said an image of an M-16-style rifle was also featured on the flag.

Ayala was seen on video footage climbing over police barricades before making his way to the Upper West Terrace of the Capitol as rioters overran police lines on the stairs adjacent to scaffolding set up for the presidential inauguration.

Footage taken from inside the Capitol also shows Ayala jabbing his flag and flagpole at a U.S. Capitol police officer, prosecutors said.

Seconds later, the Senate Wing door was breached by rioters. As rioters opened the door, a PVC pipe with no flag attached was thrown through the open door, striking at least one officer, prosecutors said. Ayala appeared to depart the area shortly after, according to court documents.

About five minutes later, body-worn camera footage showed Ayala in front of police officers who had gathered on the Upper West Terrace to clear rioters from the area, prosecutors said. The video then showed Ayala walking the police line before gesturing at the officers and stating, "Join us!"

In the 36 months since the attack, more than 1,265 people have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach. The investigation remains ongoing.

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