Wahiawa man arrested in connection to 2021 U.S. Capitol demonstration

HONOLULU (KHON2) — A Hawaii man who is connected to the Jan. 6, 2021 riot at the U.S. Capitol made his initial appearance in a Honolulu federal court on Wednesday.

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Thirty-one-year-old Alexander Cain Poplin of Wahiawa was arrested after he allegedly assaulted a law enforcement officer during a breath at the Capitol while Congress was counting electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election.

A criminal complaint was filed in the District of Columbia to charge Poplin with felony offenses of “assaulting, resisting or impeding certain officers with a dangerous weapon and civil disorder.”

Poplin was also charged with three misdemeanor offenses of “entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds and engaging in physical violence in a restricted building or grounds.”

Around 2:30 p.m. on Jan. 6, 2021, Poplin was seen in a restricted area of the U.S. Capitol building holding an “Area Closed” sign and a blue flag.

Court documents allege that Poplin struck a police officer with the blue flag and said his alleged actions added to the chaos against officers defending the Capitol. The assault was also captured on video from open-source media and body-worn cameras.

Investigators confirmed Poplin’s identity by comparing his clothing to what he wore earlier in the day at a rally held by the former President.

Since the 2021 event, officials said more than 1,500 individuals from nearly all 50 states have been charged for the crimes committed during the Capitol breach.

Federal and state officials continue to investigate. Those who have any information are advised to contact the FBI at (800) CALL-FBI or submit a tip through their website.