He’s the stepson of an Eastern Shore chicken magnate. He has donated thousands to right-wing politicians and was briefly a member of the Maryland State Board of Elections. He stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021 and was arrested for it three years later.

Now he’s among the pardoned.

Charged with multiple federal crimes as part of his role in the attempted insurrection by Donald Trump supporters four years ago, Carlos Ayala had his case dismissed earlier this week after Trump issued a blanket pardon to the Jan. 6 participants upon his return to the White House. His case was scheduled to go to trial in June.

Charged in January 2024, Ayala was one of thousands at the U.S. Capitol four years ago as part of the effort to stop Congress’ certification of the 2020 presidential election results. He was still awaiting trial when Trump’s pardon came down and had been arguing in court to have his case dismissed.

Ayala’s attorney declined to comment for this article.

A former Perdue Farms executive, Ayala did not deny in court records that he was at the Capitol on Jan. 6 — it would be hard to do given the FBI has videos of him there — but he had denied he committed any crimes, a common refrain among many Trump supporters present that day.

Trump has described that day as “a day of love,” and has called the rioters “patriots.”

Several people, including Capitol Police officers, were injured that day and some died. Some of those present erected a makeshift gallows and chanted “hang Mike Pence,” Trump’s then-vice president who was going to certify the election results that day. People stormed the Capitol and images of lawmakers from both parties cowering in fear were broadcast and posted online in real time.

Wearing a hooded American flag sweatshirt, Ayala could be seen on footage from the day climbing over police barricades and reaching the Upper West Terrace of the Capitol building. Video footage also shows him waving a black flag — which had a picture of an M16 rifle and the words “We the people” and “DEFEND” on it — that was attached to a PVC pipe, according to court documents.

At one point, prosecutors claimed, Ayala had thrown the PVC pipe at an officer through a busted window. He later pleaded with Capitol Police to “join us,” meaning the demonstrators, in their failed insurrection, according to court records.

Ayala had been a member of the state elections board for about a year when he resigned in January 2024, shortly after being charged.

When lawmakers interviewed him in 2023 for the election position, they didn’t ask a single question about his experience or his thoughts on the position’s responsibilities. Lawmakers later admitted they needed to ask tougher questions.

Most recently Ayala petitioned the court to let him take his family to El Salvador for the Christmas holiday, a request the judge granted.