Migrant Carrying Machete at US Capitol Was ‘Significant Threat’; Previously Caught and Released

A man who was arrested last week for carrying a machete, a butcher’s knife, and a brick near the East Front of the U.S. Capitol is an illegal immigrant from Venezuela whom federal border authorities previously captured and released, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) admitted Tuesday. 

U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) arrested Jose Leonardo Marquez, 23, on Dec. 26 after a USCP officer saw Marquez pacing back and forth, before sitting down on a ledge on the east side of the U.S. Capitol.  

According to a press release, after the officer witnessed Marquez’s strange behavior, he approached and spoke to him. While speaking to Marquez, the officer noticed a brick in his pocket and asked him to toss the brick to the side. 

After Marquez complied with the officer’s request, he also pulled out a knife and placed it on the ledge, the USCP said. The officer then called for backup and secured the knife. That’s when he noticed the handle of a machete under the man’s clothing drew his service weapon and ordered Marquez to put his hands up. He complied and officers took the machete away from him and placed him under arrest. 

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