Kyle Fitzsimons

Staff Report –

A man from Lebanon Maine was arrested Thursday and appeared in U.S. District Court Friday on charges stemming from his assault on local law enforcement officers, as well as other crimes, during the riots at the U.S. Capitol on January 6 that disrupted a Joint Session of the U.S. Congress in the process of affirming the Presidential election results.

Kyle Fitzsimons, 37, of Lebanon, Maine, was charged by criminal complaint with one count of assault on a federal officer; one count of certain acts during a civil disorder; one count of unlawful entry in restricted building or on grounds; and one count of violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds.

Fitzsimons made his initial appearance in the District of Maine on Friday afternoon where U.S. Magistrate Judge John H. Rich III ordered him held in federal custody pending a detention hearing scheduled for February 11.

The affidavit in support of the criminal complaint against Fitzsimons alleges that on January 6, he pushed against and grabbed officers who were holding a police line in an arched entranceway on the lower west terrace of the U.S. Capitol building. Video surveillance footage captures Fitzsimons at the terrace archway, in the front of a group of rioters, charging the police line and swinging at Metropolitan Police Department officers.

“This case demonstrates that all levels of the federal government, in all areas of the country, are working together to hold responsible those who laid siege to the Capitol on January 6,” U.S. Attorney Halsey B. Frank said after announcing the charges along with Michael R. Sherwin, the acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia.

“Here in Maine, we are playing our part to bring to justice anyone who allegedly attempted to thwart the will of the American people as expressed in the 2020 election,” Frank said in the press release announcing the arrest and charges.

One of the confidential sources interviewed by the FBI told authorities late last month that Fitzsimons was a current employee of the Hannaford supermarket in York, according to an affidavit filed in federal court last week. That source told the FBI that Fitzsimons was vocal about his political beliefs and known to hold racist views.

Ericka Dodge, a spokesperson for the Maine-based supermarket chain, wouldn’t say whether Fitzsimons had ever been a Hannaford employee. But she did confirm that he currently is not.

But it prompted the company to put out a statement broadly condemning the Jan. 6 insurrection.

“The violent and unlawful acts that took place at the Capitol were reprehensible. It was a dark and sad day for our country — and we believe that our country is better than the riotous acts that occurred that day,” Dodge said.

When asked about Hannaford’s position toward anyone who preaches white nationalism, Dodge said the grocery chain condemns that as well.

“We stand strongly against any sentiment or action that is rooted in white supremacy, racism, or xenophobia,” she said.

Fitzsimons expressed racist views publicly in 2018 during a legislative hearing about funding for an education center in Lewiston that would cater to the city’s immigrant population, as Nathan Bernard and Andy O’Brien reported Friday for the Mainer News Cooperative.

“You’re bringing in the new Third World, you’re bringing in the replacements,” Fitzsimons said during the hearing, reciting the central message of the racist far-right “great replacement” conspiracy theory.

Fitzsimons has also publicly recited conspiracy theories about the 2020 presidential election. When he spoke Jan. 7 during the Lebanon Board of Selectmen meeting about his presence at the Capitol, he falsely claimed widespread fraud was to blame for President-elect Joe Biden’s victory. He claimed “provocateurs,” not supporters of then-President Donald Trump, were to blame for the violent riot.

“This is a great game being played, and I know for a fact that I was a pawn,” he said. “I am very concerned for this country and where we are headed next.”

Fitzsimons claims he was pushed into a police line by the throngs of people. Prosecutors allege he pushed and grabbed officers then charged at them after he was struck in the head by officers’ batons.

This case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Counterterrorism Section of the DOJ’s National Security Division, with assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maine. The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Boston and Washington Field Offices, along with the Metropolitan Police Department and the U.S. Capitol Police.

The ATF and FBI continue to urge the public to report suspected use of explosive devices, or violent, destructive acts associated with the recent unrest. Anyone with information can call 1-888-ATF-TIPS (1-888-283-8477), email ATFTips@atf.gov or submit information anonymously via ReportIt.com.

The FBI is looking for individuals who may have incited or promoted violence of any kind. Anyone with digital material or tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or submit images or videos at fbi.gov/USCapitol.