The youngest person arrested in connection with the deadly Jan. 6 Capitol riot, Bruno Joseph Cua 18, was assaulted in jail over the weekend, according to his lawyer.
“Mr. Cua was assaulted and then threatened by a fellow inmate over this past weekend,” his attorney William Zapf said in court papers seeking his pretrial release. “We understand that the inmate struck Mr. Cua in the face with his open hand, injuring his nose, over the use of the phone, and then threatened him regarding the incident.”
Cua also tested positive for coronavirus on Saturday and his lawyers are requesting that he be allowed to quarantine at a hotel to avoid spreading the disease, according to NBC News.
But, prosecutors are concerned that Cua may not take precautions to limit the spread of the virus if he’s released. They cited maskless photos of him taken during the Jan 6. insurrection amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Last week, Cua begged a judge to allow him to go home to his parents while he awaits trial.
“All I ask is that you please allow me to be reunited with my loving family so we can figure out the next steps before I stand trial. I promise I will not step one foot out of line, I miss my family more than anything in the world, I have never been away from them like this,” Cua wrote, adding “I just want to go home to my Mom and Dad, I am truly sorry.”
He is the youngest of the more than 300 people charged in connection with the deadly riot.
According to the Justice Department, he has been charged with assaulting a Federal Officer; civil disorder; Obstruction of an Official Proceeding; Entering a Restricted Building or Grounds; Enter or remain on the floor or gallery of either House of Congress, Violent Entry or Disorderly Conduct, Engage in physical violence, Obstruct, or impede passage, and parade, demonstrate, or picket on Capitol Grounds.
