The freshman delegate from Wayne County, who said he wouldn’t resign his seat for his participation in an unruly mob that forcefully entered the United States Capitol last week, resigned over the weekend.
Republican Derrick Evans livestreamed his entrance with others into the Capitol during a joint session of Congress to officially certify President-elect Joe Biden as the 46 President of the United States.
“We’re in! Derrick Evans is in the Capitol,” the delegate proclaimed while he and others poured through entrances of the Capitol.
The video was later deleted.
Evans denied any participation in destruction of the Capitol or provocation of police. He claimed to be an independent member of the media to film history.
Numerous fellow Republican legislators called for his resignation and on Friday Evans was arrested.
A charge of entering restricted government buildings is a misdemeanor. The charge applies to buildings where anyone protected by the Secret Service is visiting or buildings with an event of national significance.
A second charge of violent entry and disorderly conduct on the Capitol grounds is also a misdemeanor.
On Saturday, Evans submitted his resignation to Governor Jim Justice
Attorney John H. Bryan said Evans did not organize or lead a group to travel to the protest.
The attorney released a statement saying Evans engaged in no violence, no rioting, no destruction of property, and no illegal behavior.
Evans was released on a personal recognizance bond Friday.