Zylas Hamilton, 31, of Blue Ridge was released the same day after being arrested on charges related to the January 6, 2021, riot at the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C.
Hamilton, was taken into custody at a residence with a Blue Ridge address Friday, January 26, by Fannin County and federal law enforcement officers.
Hamilton is charged in a federal arrest warrant with;
•Knowingly Entering or Remaining in any Restricted Building or Grounds Without Lawful Authority;
•Disorderly or disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds;
•Disorderly Conduct in a Capitol Building; and,
•Parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol Building.
A 14-page Criminal Complaint and Statement of Facts alleging Hamilton’s crimes was filed January 10, 2024, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.
Hamilton is accused of being part of the large crowd that had gathered outside the Capitol and later forced its way inside.
Acting on a tip regarding Facebook user “Zee” Hamilton, the FBI was able to identify Hamilton as taking part in the riot.
On his Facebook page, Hamilton wrote, “I was is in the capital building...I’m safe after being maced, tear gassed, and shot with a rubber bullet in the shoulder.”
Hamilton also posted a photo of himself inside the Capitol with the caption, “Fight for your country folks...we took our capital back today.”
Additionally, Capitol Closed Circuit TV videos show Hamilton at various locations inside the Capitol during the riot.
Hamilton was present for his initial appearance hearing in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia in Gainesville in front of Magistrate Judge J. Clay Fuller.
Hamilton was appointed a public defender. He waived both an identify and production of the warrant hearing, and a preliminary hearing.
He was released under a personal recognizance bond and scheduled to appear February 8, 2024, via ZOOM before Judge G. Michael Harvey in United States District Court, District of Columbia.