THE Filipino American man who was famously photographed carrying a walis tambo (broom) during the January 6 attack on the United States Capitol has been sentenced to 45 days in jail.
Kene Brian Lazo of Norfolk, Virginia was sentenced by a federal judge on Thursday, August 18 to 45 days in jail after being arrested in May 2021 for his participation in the Jan. 6, 2021 riot at the Capitol. He previously entered a not guilty plea to the charges in connection with the incident.
Lazo wore a black helmet, googles, and an American flag cape while carrying a ‘Captain America’-style shield and the Filipino broom. His shield carried messages like “FALSE MEDIA = COUP” and “PANDEMIC HOAX = COUP.”
His May 28, 2021 arrest came following a tip from someone who recognized the Rodbustars, LLC logo on Lazo’s helmet in a post by Facebook user “Fam Council.”
Reports indicate that Lazo and his wife are listed in public documents as owners of Rodbustars, and the FBI used location data for a phone number associated with the company to determine that it was being used inside the Capitol, according to the warrant for Lazo’s arrest.
He was among the thousands of supporters of former U.S. President Donald Trump identified by the Federal Bureau of Investigation to be part of the group that illegally entered the government building.
His charges include knowingly entering or remaining in a restricted building or grounds without lawful authority; disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds without lawful authority;
disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds or in a Capitol building; and parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building.
The Fil-Am man was inside the building for about 19 minutes, according to the statement of offense filed in federal court. Lazo entered the Capitol around 2:34 p.m., some 14 minutes after the members of the House of Representatives and Senate, including Vice President Mike Pence, were evacuated from the Senate Chamber, the Virginian-Pilot reported.
Also with his 45-day jail sentence, U.S. District Judge Christopher R. Cooper ordered Lazo to pay a $500 fine. n
