$20K Raised For Milton Teen Charged After Capitol Riot

MILTON, GA — Family friends have established a fundraiser for the Milton teen who was charged with several offenses last year in relation to his role at the U.S. Capitol riot.

Bruno Joseph Cua, 18, of Milton, was arrested Feb. 5, 2021 on charges related to criminal acts at the U.S. Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021, according to the FBI.

Cua was charged with multiple offenses, including assaulting a federal officer, civil disorder, obstruction of an official proceeding, entering a restricted building, and engaging on obstruction of the Capitol Grounds, according to federal court documents.

Now, family friends have created a fundraiser on Christian crowdfunding site, GiveSendGo, in support of Cua with a goal of $250,000. As of Wednesday afternoon, a little more than $20,000 had been donated.

Part of the description reads, "(Cua) is known locally for building treehouses in the community, figuring out how to fix just about any vehicle, and rigging up his pickup with a big American flag, since the day he began to drive. In the fall of 2020, he designed and built a large mast in the bed of his truck, capable of flying a massive 800 sq.ft Trump flag, where he sought police permission to drive during local rallies. It was this one-of-a-kind mobile flag, he sought to display in D.C., and the reason he went there on January 6th."

It goes on to say, "Although he went to Washington with his parents planning to display his flag, young Bruno was caught up in the frenzy of mob mentality, when he entered the Capitol, following hundreds of older adults. The bright future ahead of him is in jeopardy with an upcoming trial where he faces multiple felony charges and many years in federal prison."

The last update on Cua given by the U.S. Department of Justice stated, "defendant remains on personal recognizance. Status conference was set for Aug. 24, 2021." No further update was given.

The fundraiser states that Cua was released on home confinement in March 2021 with an ankle monitor, and is awaiting trial.

According to a federal criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia and obtained by Patch, Cua was identified in a photograph from the riots at the U.S. Capitol.

The FBI was also viewed Cua's Instagram account, where he said in a story, "Yes, for everyone asking I stormed the capital (sic) with hundreds of thousands of patriots. I'll do a whole video explaining what happened, this is history. What happened was unbelievable... Yes, we physically fought our way in," according to the FBI report. The screenshot was taken at 5:33 p.m. on Jan. 6, 2021.

A video from The New Yorker titled, "A Reporter's Video from Inside the Capitol Siege" shows footage from the riot, and shows Cua in the Senate Gallery, the FBI said. In the same video, Cua can be heard off-camera saying, "They can steal an election, but we can't sit in their chairs?"

His voice was identified by a law enforcement officer who has had direct interactions with Cua, including in-person in Milton.

Cua can be seen in the video outside the Senate Chamber doors, in a physical altercation with U.S. Capitol Police plain clothes officers, holding a baton in his hand, according to federal court reports.

Read a complete list of all defendants connected to the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection compiled by the U.S. Department of Justice.

Related: What Happened To The 16 Georgians Charged In Jan. 6 Capitol Riot?