Leticia Vilhena Ferreira, a Brazilian who was arrested for invading the US Congress on January 6, 2021, will be able to await trial in freedom.
The decision was handed down on Tuesday (22). The prosecution has made a request for a quick trial, to be carried out with more streamlined procedures. The request was accepted, and the next hearing in the case was scheduled for April 21.
The prosecution, which represents the US government, did not ask Ferreira to be detained while awaiting trial. Thus, she can remain free and not need to pay bail. It is still unclear whether the Brazilian has already been released.
Ferreira, 32, was arrested on February 16 at her home in Indian Park Head, Illinois. She is charged with knowingly entering or staying in a restricted building without legal authorization and with violent entry and disorderly conduct into Capitol territory, January 6, 2021.
Security camera footage from the US Legislature’s headquarters shows the moment she enters the building. Wearing a red beanie with Trump’s name on it, she appears walking slowly, with her cell phone in her hand, as if she were filming. In the image, Ferreira does not commit acts of violence.
That day, the Brazilian went to Washington to watch the speech by then-President Donald Trump. The Republican organized, on the day that Parliament would certify the victory of rival Joe Biden in the election, a rally to question the result of the popular vote.
He urged his supporters to fight. Then the mob marched into the Congress building — people smashed windows and assaulted members of security. Five people died in what is considered the biggest attack on American democracy in decades.
According to the lawsuit, Ferreira said he was unable to see Trump’s speech and ended up following the crowd. She then entered the Capitol and spent about 20 minutes there, where she took photographs and videos.
She told the Justice that she is a Brazilian citizen and is in the US on a work visa and, therefore, is not able to vote. Text messages from the Brazilian’s phone accessed by investigators in the case show that she was apprehensive about being held responsible for what happened.
“Do you think they’re going after all the people who entered the Capitol?” he said, to an unidentified caller.
In the messages, he also states that he did not see who actually broke into the building by breaking down security barriers and adds that he just walked in. “I’m very irresponsible. Yesterday felt amazing,” she said in a follow-up message.
The US government is carrying out an extensive investigation to hold the Congressional invaders accountable. Five people died during the invasion, including a policeman attacked by protesters, months ago. About 140 security officers were injured.
At least one more Brazilian was also involved in the invasion. Eliel Rosa pleaded guilty to part of the charges and was sentenced to 12 months probation. Another invader of Brazilian origin, Samuel Camargo, was also arrested and indicted, but the case has not yet been judged; he awaits the sentence in freedom.
