A Nashville man this week was charged in connection with the U.S. Capitol riot after admitting to the Metro Nashville Police Department he entered the Capitol on Jan. 6, an FBI warrant shows.
Christopher Michael Cunningham faces charges including knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority; disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building; violent entry and disorderly conduct in capitol building or grounds; and parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a capitol building.
Investigators sifted through Cunningham’s social media after witnesses alerted the FBI to posts by an account in his name made on Jan. 6, U.S. District Court documents show.
Footage taken inside the Capitol on the day shows an individual later identified as Cunningham traveling through the building holding up a cell phone, court documents indicate.
The criminal complaint includes screenshots of the individual apparently taking a selfie inside the building.
In addition, court documents continue, on Feb. 23, Cunningham called the Metro Nashville Police Department to report that a pressure washer was stolen from his front porch.
The interaction between Cunningham and the police officer was audio and video recorded on the officer’s body-worn camera, which the FBI reviewed.
“During the interaction with the MNPD officer, Cunningham identified himself and stated that he entered the U.S. Capitol building on Jan. 6, 2021,” the complaint continues.
Court records show Cunningham was free on bond Thursday.
