West Virginia Delegate Faces Federal Prison For Facebook Live Stream

The West Virginia lawmaker who live-streamed himself storming the Capitol building has resigned as he faces charges of entering a restricted area.

The Republican Delegate, Darrick Evans, wrote a letter notifying Governor Jim Justice of his intentions to step down, effective immediately.

After being arrested on Friday, Evans appeared before a judge in federal court. If convicted, he could face up to 18 months in federal prison for entering a restricted area and disorderly conduct, both of which are misdemeanor charges.

In a statement, Evans said that he takes full responsibility for his actions and the best course of action would be for him to resign to “focus on my personal situation and those I love.”

He added that he regrets any “hurt, pain, or embarrassment I may have caused my family, friends, constituents and fellow West Virginians.”

“I hope this action I take today can remove any cloud of distraction from the state Legislature, so my colleagues can get to work in earnest building a brighter future for our state,” Evans said. “And more importantly, I hope it helps to begin the healing process, so we can all move forward and come together as ‘One Nation, Under God.”

In a video widely shared online, Evans is seen pushing his way through the Capitol building doorway chanting “Trump” along with the crowd. He then mills around the Capitol Rotunda, where many historic paintings and busts were later vandalized.

According to the charging documents, before Evans and the crowd busted into the building he posted a video to his social media saying, “They’re making an announcement right now: If Pence betrays us you better get your mind right because we’re storming that building.” He then laughs and says, “I’m just the messenger, so don’t be hating on me.”

Legislators from at least seven other states traveled to Washington, D.C., last Wednesday to support President Trump and protest the counting of electoral votes that would confirm Joe Biden’s victory.

No other elected officials were reported to have been involved in the attack on the Capitol.