Carter Camacho, an 18-year-old from Smyrna, Georgia, pleaded guilty Monday to illegally carrying a firearm on U.S. Capitol grounds. The incident occurred on February 17, 2026, when Camacho, armed with a loaded shotgun, ran toward the Capitol’s west side before being stopped by law enforcement. He was also charged with receipt or distribution of child pornography, stemming from evidence found on his phone after his arrest.
Camacho, who drove from Georgia to Washington, D.C., told investigators he intended to confront members of Congress and "scare them into speaking the truth." Surveillance footage showed him wearing camouflage clothing, a tactical vest, and carrying the shotgun with a round chambered. Officers recovered additional tactical gear, including a Kevlar helmet and gas mask, from his vehicle.
Prosecutors revealed that Camacho had written a journal entry expressing violent intentions, including targeting members of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) and "corrupt" officials. He is scheduled to be sentenced on December 8, 2026, by U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta. Camacho has remained in custody since his arrest.