A 27-year-old woman from Northridge, Los Angeles, Kayla Reifschneider, appeared in federal court in downtown Los Angeles for her alleged involvement in the breach of the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. Reifschneider is facing federal felony and misdemeanor charges related to her conduct during the incident.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Reifschneider is charged with obstruction of an official proceeding, along with several misdemeanors, including entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly and disruptive conduct, and acts of physical violence in the Capitol grounds or buildings.

Reifschneider, who was a member of the Telegram online chat group "Patriots 45," had traveled from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C., in advance of the events on January 6. Patriots 45 was a group organized to support then-President Donald Trump and discuss what they believed were fraudulent election results.

Prosecutors allege that Reifschneider shared a screenshot of a tweet in which it was warned that there were plans to break into federal buildings, cause violence against law enforcement, and attack federal employees and lawmakers. Her response to the warning was met with mockery, according to court documents. Reifschneider is also accused of discussing plans to provide weapons, including a stun gun and pepper spray, to someone else for transport to Washington, D.C.

Video footage from the day allegedly shows Reifschneider shouting obscenities at police on the Upper West Terrace. She then reportedly joined a group of rioters on the east side of the Capitol, where she confronted members of the media. Reifschneider is said to have climbed over a small wall separating the media and the rioters, spitting in the direction of the media and damaging their equipment.

In another video, Reifschneider is seen celebrating, raising a middle finger, shouting obscenities, and expressing satisfaction at the actions taken that day. Court documents also revealed text messages between Reifschneider and another individual, in which they discuss their intention to show authorities who they should be afraid of and boast about their actions.

The Department of Justice highlights that Reifschneider's alleged actions, along with those of other individuals, disrupted the joint session of Congress that was convened to confirm and count the electoral votes for the 2020 presidential election.

Since the events of January 6, 2021, over 1,358 people have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the Capitol. Among these defendants, more than 486 have been charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement. The investigation into the Capitol breach is ongoing.

Reifschneider's federal court appearance marks a step forward in the legal proceedings as authorities hold individuals accountable for their alleged actions during the Capitol breach.