A retired NYPD officer who was photographed playing a tambourine inside the Capitol during the Jan. 6 insurrection has been arrested and faces three federal criminal charges, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office.
Sara Carpenter, a 57–year–old resident of Forest Hills, Queens, was identified as a “known rioter” by authorities. She is expected to appear in court late Friday afternoon.
According to the criminal complaint, Carpenter “willfully and knowingly” aided and abetted other rioters in the Capitol “by providing assistance, support, and resources.” Authorities claim she “disrupted the orderly conduct of official business by a crowd of persons assembled” in the Capitol.
It’s unclear what role, if any, Carpenter played in the melee that left the Capitol floor in shambles. A retired NYPD officer since 2011, Carpenter was photographed by The New York Times playing a tambourine in the Capitol rotunda.
According to a post on her son’s Facebook page, Carpenter was retired due to health reasons. She was arraigned in court on Thursday afternoon and released on $25,000 bond.
