A doctor and part-time poker player from Virginia was taken into police custody Thursday for reportedly causing damage to the Capitol during the events of January 6, 2021. Court records reveal that police picked up Karthik Ramakrishnan for his role as part of the continuing investigation into the riot.
Ramakrishnan, who resides in Bluefield, VA, faces charges for his actions within the Capitol complex, according to NBC News journalist Ryan J. Reilly. A seven-page criminal complaint shows that he arrived at the scene only six minutes after the attack began.
The Capitol attack was an assault on the US Capitol Building that took place on January 6, 2021. It was a result of the 2020 presidential election that then-President Donald Trump lost to Joe Biden. Some people have alleged that Trump instigated the attack, although he has been acquitted of any wrongdoing.
Running With the Mob
In April of last year, the FBI received a report from an informant claiming that Ramakrishnan had made a trip to Washington, DC, on January 16. The informant, who was a colleague of Ramakrishnan, also shared that the 45-year-old had sent them media content of his journey, which included snapshots of the demonstrations that resulted in the violent unrest.
NEW: #CreamNCranberry Karthik Ramakrishnan arrested in Virginia. There’s definitely been an uptick in Jan. 6 arrests since the Oath Keepers were sentenced. https://t.co/vGgN7bTE05 pic.twitter.com/U3FoJ35omo
— Ryan J. Reilly (@ryanjreilly) June 15, 2023
During the unwelcome Capitol visit, the 45-year-old doctor donned a surgical mask, which he eventually took off, while carrying a small drum. He toured the Capitol for under 30 minutes and eventually departed through a main entrance.
The criminal complaint adds that he shared his antics with an unidentified business associate, even sending him selfies as he attended a pre-riot rally. Ramakrishnan allegedly told the individual that he had more photos, but he wasn’t going to share them in order to protect himself.
The business associate became an informant and told the FBI what he knew. That led to an investigation and subsequent interrogation of Ramakrishnan. He denied the allegation, despite the presence of the photos – his and others from the investigation – that prove he was there.
Ramakrishnan, who reportedly has no criminal record, will make his first court appearance next Thursday. Given his initial reaction during the investigation, it’s likely he’ll plead not guilty.
Life Dedicated to Healing Others
Ramakrishnan’s LinkedIn profile shows that he claims to have over 20 years of medical expertise. When police arrested him, he was working at Infinity Medical Management, an outpatient clinic company with seven locations in Virginia and West Virginia, that he founded in 2011.
An advocate for “healthy homes and healthy food,” Ramakrishnan has enjoyed a moderately successful side career at the poker tables. His profile on Hendon Mob shows that he has earned over $440,000 in prize money from live poker competitions in the US and overseas.
His first time in the money was a mini-cash for just $281 at a Rio Daily Deepstacks event in 2012. His largest cash to date was in the 2016 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Circuit $1,675 No Limit Hold’em Main Event at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort in Cherokee, North Carolina. Ramakrishnan finished fourth for $96,617.
He also has a first-place win at a WSOP Circuit event. In November 2014, he took down the $365 No-Limit Hold ’em event at Harrah’s, adding $91,166 to his bank.
1,041 people now charged in the #January6th attack
6 cases today, 21 so far in June2021: 707
2022: 233
2023: 101 (on track for 223)June 2023 on track (42+) for most of any single month since JULY 2021 (39), nearly **2** years ago.
Note: Publicly unsealed cases, 15 June 2023 pic.twitter.com/ISLwdBgacE
— Jan6thData (@Jan6thData) June 15, 2023
As the investigation into the January riots continues, officials continue to make more arrests. So far, over 1,000 people face various charges, according to Jan6thData on Twitter.
This month has seen the “most of any single month” in the past two years. However, the figures only address the unsealed cases available to the public. There are likely others that are being diverted because of their sensitive nature.
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