Trendpills
A Texas man who previously pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge for his involvement in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot has been arrested on new, severe state-level charges. Ivan Hunter Bañuelos, 26, was taken into custody in Hays County, Texas, and charged with aggravated kidnapping and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
According to court documents, Bañuelos allegedly confronted his estranged wife outside her home, brandished a handgun, and forced her into his truck in front of their children. Law enforcement officials stated that he assaulted her inside the vehicle as he drove away. The victim managed to escape by jumping out of the moving truck, after which she was able to contact the police. Bañuelos was later apprehended by authorities.
Under Texas law, the charges against Bañuelos are extremely serious. Aggravated kidnapping is defined as a first-degree felony, which can carry a sentence of up to life in prison. The charge is elevated to "aggravated" status due to the alleged use of a deadly weapon during the commission of the crime. This new legal trouble is separate from his federal case related to the Capitol breach.
Bañuelos had previously been sentenced for his role in the Capitol riot, having pleaded guilty to one count of parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building. For that offense, he received a sentence of 30 days in jail, followed by 12 months of probation. Federal prosecutors had noted he spent approximately 24 minutes inside the Capitol building during the riot. Following his most recent arrest, Bañuelos is being held on a significant bond as he awaits legal proceedings for the new felony allegations.
