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FBI arrests man seen wearing 'Camp Auschwitz' sweatshirt during Capitol riot

Robert Packer
Posted at 9:00 AM, Jan 13, 2021
and last updated 2021-01-13 11:13:14-05

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - A Virginia man seen wearing a "Camp Auschwitz" sweatshirt during the U.S. Capitol riot was arrested Wednesday morning.

The FBI issued a complaint with an arrest warrant for Robert Keith Packer on Tuesday. Packer was then arrested by FBI in Newport News on Wednesday.

According to court documents, his charges include one count of knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority; and two counts violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds.

Packer is being held at Western Tidewater Regional Jail and is set to have initial court appearance at 12:30 p.m. with Judge Douglas E. Miller.

Packer was identified as the man wearing a sweatshirt that read "Camp Auschwitz" during the riot by three sources who spoke to CNN.

The bottom of his shirt read "Work Brings Freedom," which is the rough translation to a German phrase that was known for appearing on the concentration camp's gates.

A Virginian, who spoke anonymously to CNN, described Packer as a long-time extremist with a history of criminal offenses. Another source told CNN that he is an "off-beat" character who has expressed frustrations with the government.

This story was originally published by Arianna Herriott at WTKR.