A Georgia teenager has admitted to bringing a fully loaded shotgun with the safety off into the United States Capitol building, prosecutors confirmed following the defendant’s guilty plea in federal court.

Armed Confrontation at Capitol

U.S. Capitol Police officers confronted the teenager, identified as Camacho, after he produced the weapon inside the building. Officers recovered a Mossberg Model 88 12-gauge shotgun loaded with seven rounds in the tube and one round already chambered, with the safety mechanism in the off position. An additional 17 rounds were found in a stock carrier attached to the weapon. Camacho told responding officers he had traveled to the Capitol to speak with a Member of Congress, though authorities have not disclosed which representative he intended to meet.

The incident prompted immediate action from uniformed Capitol Police, who ordered Camacho to halt upon discovering the firearm. The weapon’s condition, fully loaded with the safety disengaged, represented an imminent threat to lawmakers, staff, and visitors inside the building. Federal prosecutors moved swiftly to file charges following the August 2026 incident.

Disturbing Evidence on Seized Phone

Federal investigators searching Camacho’s vehicle discovered his cellphone, which revealed additional criminal activity. The phone contained dozens of child sexual abuse images and more than 100 videos depicting sexually explicit conduct involving minors. This evidence led to additional federal charges beyond the weapons violation. Camacho entered guilty pleas to both unlawful possession of a firearm on Capitol grounds and receipt of visual depictions of sexually explicit conduct involving children.

Federal Prosecution and Sentencing

Judge Amit P. Mehta will sentence Camacho on December 8, following the guilty pleas entered in federal court. The case resulted from a joint investigation conducted by the U.S. Capitol Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Washington Field Office. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan M. Horan is prosecuting the case. Both charges carry significant federal prison sentences, with the weapons charge alone punishable by up to five years imprisonment and the child exploitation charges carrying potential decades-long sentences under federal guidelines.

The Capitol Police continue to maintain heightened security protocols following threats against federal facilities and elected officials. This case underscores ongoing concerns about access to Capitol buildings and the screening procedures designed to prevent weapons from entering federal property where national lawmakers conduct business.