McAllen man charged in U.S. Capitol riots; expresses remorse

A McAllen man made his first appearance in front of a federal judge Tuesday morning regarding his alleged involvement in the Jan. 6, 2021, riots during the certification of President Joe Biden’s victory over his predecessor, Donald Trump.

Ulises Wilkinson, 25, was charged with knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority; disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds; entering or remaining in the gallery of either House of Congress in violation of rules; and parade, demonstrate or picket in any of the Capitol buildings.

On April 26, 2021, Wilkinson created a note on his iPhone, which was later modified in Aug. 2, 2022, where he expressed remorse for his actions, according to the criminal complaint.

A credible FBI source submitted information regarding Wilkinson’s involvement in the riots on May 18, 2022, the complaint states.

The source provided photographs and still shots from videos taken during the riot.

The photos show Wilkinson wearing a yellow construction vest with gray and orange vertical stripes, a black hood over a black ball cap and a neck scarf.

He can be seen holding a white cardboard sign saying, “Free Assange!”

Other still images show Wilkinson entering the U.S. Capitol and in several locations within the building wearing the same clothing he wore during the “Stop the Steal” rally at the Washington Monument prior to the riots.

On July 27, 2022, Wilkinson contacted special agents by phone and stated he was living in Texas with relatives and agreed to cooperate with agents. They agreed to meet on Aug. 3, 2022, for an in-person meeting.

During the interview, Wilkinson said he flew to Washington D.C. on Jan. 5, 2021, the day before the Capitol riots, and attended the rally with some friends he had met in D.C. in Nov. 2020.

Wilkinson told the agents that he followed the crowd to the Capitol after the initial rally and was climbing the inauguration steps when he saw police officers being physically attacked.

“Wilkinson said he didn’t engage in any physical violence but entered the Capitol through a breached door and followed the crowd inside,” the complaint said. “He entered the Rotunda area but said he stayed awary (sic) from any violent altercations he saw.”

He added that he entered the Senate Chamber through the second floor, but saw two rioters engaging in a physical altercation, so he exited the chamber, eventually returning to the Rotunda and exiting the Capitol.

Wilkinson left Washington D.C. the following day.

“Wilkinson told officers that he had been invited to join the Proud Boys at one point around the time of the rallies leading up to January 6, 2021, but Wilkinson refused,” the complaint said. “He was not in communication with or connected to any violent extremist groups.”

Wilkinson gave FBI Chicago consent to search his personal cellular phone and an image was made of the cell phone.

Law enforcement discovered a number of images and videos taken on Jan. 6, 2021, of the riot happening inside and outside of the Capitol.

In addition, authorities found a note containing a statement by Wilkinson that, according to metadata, was created on April 26, 2021, and later modified on Aug. 2, 2022.

In the note, Wilkinson acknowledges that he stormed the Capitol with other rioters, went inside a breached door and chanted “1776” as he held up signs inside the Capitol, eventually entering the Senate Gallery.

An image of the note can be seen in the criminal complaint.

“Earlier this year, I made one of the worst mistakes of my life,” the note said. “I went inside the United States Capitol on January 6th, 2021. That was the day the U.S. Capitol was breached by Trump supporters … You know how people say that criminals regret committing crimes once they’re caught? Not the case with me. I regret storming the Capitol and I haven’t been caught (yet).”