Proud Boys Associate From Seminole Accused In U.S. Capitol Siege

SEMINOLE, FL — A 38-year-old Seminole man is the latest person to be arrested in the FBI's continuing investigation into the Jan. 6 siege at the U.S. Capitol.

Paul Rae was arrested Wednesday morning, and FBI agents raided his home and confiscated seven guns and 1,000 rounds of ammunition, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Rae, represented by a court-appointed attorney, made his first appearance Wednesday afternoon at the U.S. Middle District Courthouse in Tampa.

He is accused of taking part in the disruption of a joint session of Congress as it was certifying the presidential election results.

The U.S. Attorney's Office said Rae participated in the protest as an associate of the far-right nationalist group Proud Boys. The group has been accused of removing metal barriers and storming the Capitol to disrupt the certification of the 2020 presidential election results.

The details of the criminal complaint against Rae are sealed, but Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel George said Rae traveled to Washington, D.C., in response to a call by the Proud Boys. George said members were told to blend in with the crowd and remain "incognito."

George said Rae was among the Proud Boys associates who entered the building after another member smashed a window in the Capitol and opened a door to allow the crowd access. He was identified from a photo posted on the FBI's website seeking the identities of those who participated in the event, George said.

Rae has been charged with knowingly entering or remaining in a restricted building or grounds without authorization and corrupting, obstructing, interfering or impeding an official proceeding.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Amanda Arnold Sansone released Rae on a $25,000 bond with conditions. He must be monitored with a GPS device and remain at home except for going to work, religious services, doctor's appointments and visiting his son in Sebring. He also must surrender his passport and guns that FBI agents found in his home.

Rae's next court date is scheduled for March 31.

Rae hid his face from photographers as he left the federal courthouse Wednesday.

He is among 32 Floridians who have been arrested by the FBI during its continuing roundup of those who took part in the breech at the U.S. Capitol.

Last week, Robert Scott Palmer, 53, of Largo was taken into custody by the FBI after it said he was positively identified in photos and videos showing crowds breaching the Capitol.

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