Actor Siaka Massaquoi was arrested at the Nashville premiere of The Daily Wire’s new comedy “Lady Ballers” last week, according to federal authorities. Massaquoi faces charges related to his alleged involvement in the U.S. Capitol riot on January 6, 2021.
The arrest took place on November 30, shortly after Massaquoi and his wife, Charlotte, returned to California from the premiere. Massaquoi was reportedly separated from his wife and taken into custody by the FBI upon their arrival in California.
According to a legal defense fundraiser set up in his name, Massaquoi is facing four misdemeanor charges in connection with the January 6 riot. His wife was allegedly not presented with an arrest warrant at the time of his arrest.
This is not the first time Massaquoi has faced legal action related to the Capitol riot. Three years ago, his home was raided by FBI agents in tactical gear, six months after the events of January 6, 2021. Massaquoi was charged with three misdemeanors at that time.
The arrest of my friend @_SiakaMassaquoi last night by the FBI is chilling. Another nonviolent J6er who never entered the building, committed no acts of violence or vandalism, having his life destroyed by these political animals. pic.twitter.com/nhr6ey3eoM
— Nick Searcy, INSURRECTIONAL FILM & TELEVISION STAR (@yesnicksearcy) December 1, 2023
Video footage posted by the activist group StopHate claims to show Massaquoi inside the Capitol building during the riot. In the video, Massaquoi can be seen standing near the door for approximately one minute, and is even shown apparently helping police direct people out of the building.
In a statement on his X account, Massaquoi reposted the video and wrote, “Witness why I was raided 2 years ago and recently arrested and charged Nov 30th 2023 almost 3 years later.”
Massaquoi is a well-known actor who has appeared in shows such as “S.W.A.T,” “NCIS: Los Angeles,” and “Lethal Weapon.” He also starred as Duece Johnson in The Daily Wire’s first-ever feature-length comedy “Lady Ballers.”
In response to Massaquoi’s arrest, Jeremy Boreing, director of “Lady Ballers” and co-founder of The Daily Wire, spoke out in support of the actor. “Siaka is a good man and a huge talent,” Boreing said in an X-post. “The FBI arresting a man at the airport three years after the event – and after raiding his house and not charging him already – and then only charging him with misdemeanors is one of the most absurd things I’ve ever heard.”
This is BLM rioters at the White House summer of 2020.
President Trump was rushed to a bunker when they breached security. Nobody was charged.Meanwhile, Siaka Massaquoi was arrested at the airport this weekend for WALKING at the capital on J6.
Welcome to the police state pic.twitter.com/LMLtui1cVZ
— 🇺🇸Kelli Kay🇺🇸 (@KelliKayK) December 3, 2023
Authorities never charged Massaquoi for his alleged involvement in the Capitol riot, despite the raid on his home three years ago. However, he and his wife have reportedly feared that this day might come, and have even faced scrutiny at airports in recent years.
The Massaquoi family has set up a legal defense fundraiser, which has already raised nearly $40,000 of its $115,000 goal to cover legal expenses. They are also asking for prayers and support as they go through this difficult time, as the couple is expecting their first child. The fundraiser page also noted that Massaquoi has filed a lawsuit against the FBI and other authorities in connection with the Capitol riot, and is currently awaiting a preliminary trial.