NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — A man pardoned by President Donald Trump after a conviction for his involvement in the Capitol attack on Jan. 6, 2021, has been arrested and charged in connection with the dog attack on Barbour Drive Monday.
Robert Keith Packer of Newport News was arrested Thursday afternoon for the dog attack on Barbour Drive that left four people injured, Newport News police said.
He is now facing multiple charges, including one count of Felony Animal Attack Resulting from Owner’s Disregard for Human Life, three counts of Dogs Running at Large, and two counts of Failure to Pay City Dog Tax.
Packer was among the people involved in the breach of the U.S. Capitol on January 6. He was sentenced to 75 days in prison with a $500 fine for restitution.
However, earlier this year, Packer was among the list of people pardoned by President Trump for the events on January 6, 2021.
Photographs of Packer wearing a "Camp Auschwitz" sweatshirt with the antisemitic message went viral after Jan. 6.
Trump granted a full pardon to people involved in the Capitol attack. The pardon stated, "I do hereby ... grant a full, complete and unconditional pardon to all other individuals convicted of offenses related to events that occurred at or near the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021."
A judge previously ruled on Packer's involvement in the breach of the Capitol. The judge said he was at the forefront of the movement. The judge also said Packer invaded an office space within the Capitol and has expressed no remorse for his action.
Packer pleaded guilty in January 2022 to parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building. The judge ruled that Packer was in the vicinity of the acts of violence, but he did not commit any acts.
Packer's most recent arrest on Thursday comes a few days after two dogs were taken into custody after they attacked and injured four people on Barbour Drive in Newport News Monday, according to police. Two of the people injured were sent to a local hospital for care.
Officers were sent to the 0 block of Barbour Drive Monday after learning of "two vicious canines," police stated. At the scene, they found four people with dog bites, sending two to the hospital.
Police said Newport News Animal Welfare was sent to the scene, where they took the two dogs into custody.
Animal welfare is leading the investigation, an official with the City of Newport News shared. The dogs will remain in the custody of animal welfare during the investigation.
