TALLAHASSEE, Florida — A South Florida woman with connection to the state Republican Party and GOP officials was arrested by federal authorities last week for allegedly joining the crowd of rioters who stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6.
Barbara “Barby” Balmaseda, a 23-year-old from Miami Lakes who, according to Miami New Times, interned for Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), is facing five charges — one felony and four misdemeanors — tied to the riot, according to newly unsealed court documents. Once a campaign organizer for Gov. Ron DeSantis, Balmaseda is accused of breaching the Crypt inside the Capitol alongside a member of the Proud Boys who last month was found guilty of two felony charges over the...
