US: State lawmaker charged with entering Capitol in riot resigns

A West Virginia state lawmaker resigned Saturday as he faces charges of entering a restricted area of U.S. Capitol after he livestreamed himself with rioters.

In a letter, Republican Del. Derrick Evans tified Gov. Jim Justice he was stepping down, effective immediately.

Evans, 35, appeared before a federal judge in Huntington, West Virginia, on Friday after being arrested. If convicted, he faces up to a year and a half in federal prison for two misdemear charges: entering a restricted area and disorderly conduct.

Evans issued a statement Saturday that he takes full responsibility for his actions, adding he deemed it best for him to resign to “focus on my personal situation and those I love.”

“I take full responsibility for my actions, and deeply regret any hurt, pain or embarrassment I may have caused my family, friends, constituents and fellow West Virginians," said Evans.

"I hope this action I take today can remove any cloud of distraction from state Legislature, so my colleagues can get to work in earnest building a brighter future for our state. And more importantly, I hope it helps to begin healing process, so we can all move forward and come toger as ‘One Nation, Under God,’” he added.

In a since-deleted video that was widely shared online, Evans is seen clamoring inside a jampacked Capitol building doorway, trying with ors to push his way inside. He hollers along with or loyalists of President Donald Trump and fist-bumps a law enforcement officer who let m in.

After pushing into building, video shows, Evans milled around Capitol Rotunda, where historic paintings depict republic’s founding, and implored ors to t vandalize artwork and busts. Some of pieces were later vandalized.

Evans joined and encourd a crowd unlawfully entering Capitol after days of telling his 30,000 Facebook followers to “Fight For Trump” in nation's capital on Wednesday, FBI nt David DiMarco wrote in a criminal complaint.

Before rush to Capitol, Evans posted a video in which he said, “y’re making an anuncement right w: If Pence betrays us you better get your mind right because we’re storming that building,” charging documents state. He n laughs and adds, “I’m just messenger, so don’t be hating on me.”

Legislators from at least seven or states traveled to Washington, D.C., to back Trump and demonstrate against counting of electoral votes confirming Democrat Joe Biden’s victory.

It’s unkwn if any or elected official joined attack on Capitol.

West Virginia House Speaker Roger Hanshaw, a Republican, said it's time to turn p, move on and heal.

“In anuncing his resignation, Delegate Evans said he accepted responsibility for his actions and apologized to those he’s hurt," Hanshaw said in a statement. “In this time of overheated, hyperbolic political r, I think that’s a good first step for us all to take right w.”

Evans lost in 2016 House of Delegates primary as a Democrat, finishing sixth among seven candidates in district. He refiled as a Libertarian for 2016 general election but finished last among five candidates. He switched to Republican Party for 2020 election, received 50% of vote in GOP primary for 19th District in June and was leading vote-getter for two seats in vember with 37% of vote.

Like several or political first-time winners in vember’s West Virginia elections, Evans swept aside a Democratic rival to win his seat representing Wayne County. High GOP turut credited to Trump's drawing power elevated down-ballot Republicans in state and gave Republicans a statehouse supermajority.