WASHINGTON, D.C. – An 18-year-old from Smyrna, Georgia, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court to charges related to the possession of a loaded shotgun on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol, as well as possession of child pornography. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.
Carter Camacho entered his plea before Judge Amit P. Mehta, agreeing to one count of unlawful possession of a firearm within the United States Capitol Buildings or Grounds and one count of receipt of visual depictions of sexually explicit conduct. His sentencing is scheduled for December 8, 2026.
According to court documents, on February 17, 2026, Camacho parked a white Mercedes SUV on Maryland Avenue SE, between First and Third Streets. At approximately 12:07 p.m., he exited the vehicle while carrying a Mossberg Model 88 12-gauge shotgun and wearing a tactical-style vest and camouflage clothing. Upon reaching the Capitol steps, he was confronted by a U.S. Capitol Police officer who instructed him to stop and lie down.
Officers recovered the loaded shotgun, which contained seven rounds in the tube and one in the chamber, along with an additional 17 rounds of ammunition. Following his arrest, a search of Camacho’s vehicle revealed a fixed-blade knife and his cell phone, which led to the discovery of numerous images and videos of child sexual abuse material.
This incident underscores ongoing public safety concerns surrounding the Capitol area, particularly in the wake of heightened security measures in recent years. The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Capitol Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Washington Field Office, with prosecution led by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan M. Horan, detailed to the U.S. Attorney’s Office from the Capitol Police.
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