Man Arrested Near Barack Obama’s Residence with Weapons and Explosive Materials, Wanted for Jan. 6 Charges

Law enforcement officials announced the arrest of a man near the residence of former President Barack Obama in Washington, D.C. The individual, identified as Taylor Taranto, 37, was found armed with weapons and explosive materials. He had an outstanding warrant for his involvement in the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, where supporters of then-President Donald Trump sought to overturn the 2020 presidential election results.

Authorities spotted Taranto just a few blocks away from Obama’s home, prompting him to flee. However, U.S. Secret Service agents gave chase and apprehended him. The officials, who preferred to remain anonymous due to the ongoing nature of the case, revealed that Taranto had also made threatening remarks on social media about a public figure. While he possessed the necessary materials to create an explosive device, he had not yet assembled one.

No injuries were reported, and it remains uncertain whether the Obamas were present at their residence during the arrest. Taranto was taken into custody by the Metropolitan Police on charges of being a fugitive from justice. Following a thorough examination of his van, the explosives team confirmed that there was no immediate danger to the public.

The specific actions attributed to Taranto during the riot were not disclosed. However, it is widely known that the insurrection involved Trump supporters vandalizing the Capitol building, assaulting law enforcement officers, and attempting to invalidate the election results. The aftermath of the event has seen more than 1,000 individuals charged with federal crimes, with a majority of them either pleading guilty or receiving convictions after trials. Sentences for over half of the defendants have ranged from six days to 18 years of imprisonment.

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More about Capitol riot

• Jan. 6 Capitol riot: More than 1,000 people charged
• Former President Barack Obama
• U.S. Secret Service
• Metropolitan Police Department, Washington, D.C.
• 2020 United States presidential election