FBI details S.A. father and son’s Capitol visit

A five-day trip to the East Coast for a San Antonio man and his son, who was celebrating his 24th birthday, included a visit to Washington, D.C., and a Jan. 6 rally for President Donald Trump.

A souvenir that James “Sonny” Uptmore and son Chance unintentionally picked up came in the form of four federal indictments accusing them of being violent insurrectionists and a memory book — or statement of facts — of their trek through the U.S. Capitol courtesy of the FBI.

The federal charges against them include knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority; as well as violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds.

The first charge, a class A misdemeanor, carries a punishment of up to one year imprisonment with a maximum fine of up to $100,000.

The other is a class B misdemeanor with a maximum fine of $5,000.

The FBI pieced together how the Uptmores spent some of their time in the Capitol, starting with a social media post.

On Jan. 8, FBI agents received a tip from the public that Chance Uptmore was talking about his visit to the Capitol on social media and disputing news coverage of the incident.

He also uploaded a photo of himself standing outside the building.

From there, agents matched the photo with his driver’s license and found more photos of him inside the Capitol captured via other news outlets.

On Jan. 17, agents searched the Uptmores’ home, combing through electronic devices and other property.

On Tuesday, officials confirmed the Uptmores turned themselves in at FBI headquarters in San Antonio to face the charges. James Uptmore was released that day on a $15,000 bond, while his son was released on a $25,000 bond.

Facebook evidence

On Jan. 6 after Trump’s rally, protesters broke through barricades and entered the Capitol as members of Congress were meeting to certify the Electoral College vote count for the 2020 presidential election.

James Uptmore said Friday he could not comment on his case because of a gag order issued by the judge. Chance Uptmore could not be reached for comment.

According to court records, Chance Uptmore admitted to FBI agents that he and his father were on Capitol

grounds when the breach of the building occurred.

The photo Chance Uptmore posted on Facebook shows shows him standing outside the Capitol building, wearing a black winter cap, a brown cloth jacket with breast pockets, and a zip-up gray hoodie underneath. A mob can be seen occupying the steps of the Capitol behind him.

Chance Uptmore told FBI agents that he entered the Capitol building because he was caught up in the crowd and because it was a oncein-a-lifetime event.

His father followed him into the building after advising him not to enter, court records state. In the photos FBI agents used to track the pair, the two can be seen standing among both

Trump supporters and Capitol police.

Chance Uptmore was captured in a top-down photo carrying a dark-colored sling, surrounded by police officers and Trump supporters. He told agents that he lost the sling while he was in the building.

Recovered painting

In another photo, James Uptmore is seen walking just ahead of his son while carrying a cup in one hand and a phone in the other. They were flanked by several others, including some who appeared to have their Trump flags rolled up.

Chance Uptmore said in the Facebook post submitted by the tipster that he and several others helped Capitol police retrieve a painting that was being stolen by another person.

“When a painting was grabbed off the wall we helped the cops recover it,” his comment states. “The cops were saying stuff like: ‘We stand with you;’ ‘Thanks for being here;’ ‘You made your point now leave calmly.’ I have it all on tape.”

James Uptmore also told agents he recorded their experience inside the Capitol.

On Thursday, special agent Michelle Lee, an FBI spokeswoman, said she could not comment specifically on what evidence the agency has or what investigative steps have been taken locally.

“In general, we are supporting Washington Field Office’s investigation by conducting all logical investigation,” she said.

As per the conditions of their release, the father and son are allowed to stay in their home together, but they cannot discuss the case with each other.

The Utmores’ next appearance before a judge is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, the FBI said.