Tambourine-playing retired NYPD cop surrendered to the FBI over alleged involvement in Capitol riot 

A retired NYPD officer is facing a number of charges in relation to the Capitol Hill riot after being arrested by the FBI.

Sara Carpenter, 51, from Queens, who retired from the police in 2004, is charged with knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority; disorderly or disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds; and violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds. 

Federal authorities said that Carpenter surrendered to them in Queens at 9am yesterday.

The FBI received an anonymous tip on January 7, according to a court filing, which claimed Carpenter had phoned a relative while inside the Capitol building.

Sara Carpenter, 51, a retired NYPD officer is facing a number of charges in relation to the Capitol Hill riot after being arrested by the FBI yesterday. Pictured: Capitol Hill security footage shows a woman wearing a red hat and green coat while shaking a tambourine, who is alleged to have been Sara Carpenter

The tip also provided the agency with Carpenter’s address. 

FBI documents claim that Carpenter drove to Washington on the night before the Capitol riot and had entered the Capitol building without authority to be there.

They also claim Carpenter was seen walking through the building recording on her phone and shaking a tambourine in her hand. 

Carpenter, who worked as a spokeswoman for the NYPD in the 1990s, appeared before a federal court in Brooklyn yesterday afternoon via teleconference and prosecutors said she had co-operated throughout the investigation. 

Security footage filmed during the riot showed a woman wearing a red hat, green coat and black boots who was carrying a tambourine inside the Capitol. 

FBI documents claim that Carpenter drove to Washington on the night before the Capitol riot and had entered the Capitol building without authority to be there. They also claim Carpenter was seen walking through the building recording on her phone and shaking a tambourine in her hand. Pictured: A woman wearing a red hat, alleged to be Sara Carpenter, holds up a phone and records inside the Capitol

During an interview on January 18 with the FBI, Carpenter said she arrived in Washington DC on January 6 around 9am and went to the Donald Trump rally.

She said that around 1pm she joined a large group of people walking towards the Capitol and entered the Rotunda where she claims to have seen others walking out with items.

Court documents show that Carpenter also heard police officers yelling at individuals to leave the building and shoving the crowd, resulting in her being trampled and pepper-sprayed. 

As part of her co-operation with investigators, Carpenter sent the FBI a text message containing the video footage she had taken during her time inside the Capitol. 

She also handed over the tambourine she said she had been shaking throughout the riot. 

As part of her co-operation with investigators, Carpenter sent the FBI a text message containing the video footage she had taken during her time inside the Capitol. She also handed over the tambourine (pictured) she said she had been shaking throughout the riot

Following a search of Carpenter’s home, agents discovered a green coat, black boots and grey backpack, similar to those worn by the woman captured captured in security footage. 

Carpenter has been released on bond and her passport has been surrendered, with a judge also ordered her travel be limited to New York City and Long Island.

Her defense attorney declined to comment on the charges. 

She is due to appear in federal court in Washington DC on Monday via teleconference, and no plea has been entered.