Bryan Betancur, a resident of Silver Spring, Maryland, has been found guilty of simple assault in Washington, D.C. Superior Court. He was charged after touching a woman’s hair on a Metro Red Line train in February and posting the incident on social media.
The judge in the case described Betancur’s actions as “creepy.” The victim, seen in the video evidence, testified about the impact of the incident. She explained how it has affected her daily life, making her feel paranoid and exposed every time she uses the Metro.
It was very upsetting and unsettling to see someone had touched me and posted about it on the internet without my consent,
the victim stated.
Betancur, previously pardoned by former President Donald Trump for his involvement in the January 6 insurrection, was found with a certificate of pardon during a memorial march in Washington this year.
The charge against Betancur carries a maximum sentence of 180 days. He has already been in custody for 125 days due to a bail violation. Prosecutors seek additional jail time without credit for days served. He also faces a potential $1,000 fine. The sentencing hearing is scheduled for Thursday afternoon.
Betancur is also charged with stalking in Washington, D.C., and faces another assault and battery case in Arlington, Virginia. The Arlington accusation involves a similar incident of livestreaming hair fondling on a different train.
The FBI has identified Betancur as a self-proclaimed white supremacist. He was photographed with a Confederate flag during the January 6 Capitol riot, an event that formed part of a federal case against him. Betancur was on parole for burglary charges at the time, wearing an ankle monitor while participating in the Capitol breach.