Bryan Betancur, a resident of Silver Spring, Maryland, was found guilty of simple assault in Washington, D.C., Superior Court for an incident that occurred on a Metro Red Line train. He was accused of surreptitiously fondling a woman’s hair and posting the act on social media in February.
The victim, who identified herself from the video, shared her distress in court. “I think about this video every single day,” she stated. She explained that the incident has heightened her anxiety while in public spaces, particularly when using the Metro daily. She described feeling exposed and unsettled, especially knowing the interaction was shared online without her consent.
The judge noted the nature of Betancur’s action as distinctly creepy. The misdemeanor charge carries a maximum sentence of 180 days. Betancur has already completed 125 days in custody due to an alleged bail violation flagged in April. Prosecutors mentioned seeking a full sentence without credit for time served, along with the potential for a $1,000 fine.
A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Thursday afternoon. Betancur also faces a stalking charge in Washington, D.C., and an assault and battery charge in Arlington, Virginia. The Arlington case involves a similar accusation, where Betancur allegedly livestreamed himself touching another woman’s hair on a train.
Moreover, the FBI has identified Betancur as a self-professed white supremacist, known for displaying a Confederate flag during the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection. At that time, he was on parole for burglary, equipped with an ankle monitor during the event. Although initially sentenced, he received a pardon from President Donald Trump.