A man accused of inappropriately touching a woman’s hair on a Metro train was arrested again just moments after appearing in court in Arlington County — this time in the courthouse parking lot.
Arrested Twice in One Day
Twenty-eight-year-old Bryan Betancur was arraigned Monday on a misdemeanor assault and battery charge related to an alleged incident on a Metro train. According to court documents, he is accused of touching a woman’s hair without consent. The encounter was reportedly livestreamed on social media platform X.
After a trial date was set, Betancur left the courtroom and headed toward the parking lot. Before he could reach his car, officers identifying themselves as Metro Transit Police approached and arrested him again.
The second arrest was based on a warrant issued in Washington, D.C., where Betancur now faces a charge of simple assault. Authorities say the charge is connected to an ongoing investigation involving multiple incidents on Metro trains that were allegedly recorded and posted online.
Prior Conviction and Pardon
Betancur was previously convicted on federal charges for his involvement in the January 6 Capitol riot. He served jail time following the conviction. Investigators had stated at the time that he referred to himself as a white supremacist and discussed extremist views.
He was later pardoned by President Donald Trump for his January 6-related convictions.
What Happens Next?
Betancur is scheduled to return to Arlington County court on May 8. If convicted on the misdemeanor assault and battery charge, he could face up to one year in jail.
As of now, there has been no official update on when he will appear in court in the District of Columbia regarding the separate simple assault charge.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue reviewing incidents connected to the case.
