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Joseph Caputo, 23, of Stamford, Connecticut, scaled the White House fence Thanksgiving Day 2015
In addition to the American flag, Caputo was carrying a USB drive in the shape of the "Captain America" shield
The man who jumped the White House fence Thanksgiving Day last year pleaded guilty Monday in federal court to a charge of entering restricted grounds and could be sentenced to a maximum of one year in prison.
A Secret Service officer spotted Joseph Caputo, 23, of Stamford, Connecticut, scaling the fence November 26, wearing an American flag-like a cape. By the time the officer got to him, Caputo had made it over the fence and onto the North Lawn of the White House. Other officers caught Caputo before he made it inside the building.
As he was being arrested Caputo made statements to the officers, including, “I love my country,” and “I knew I would be locked up,” according to prosecutors.
In addition to the American flag he was wearing, Caputo was carrying a USB drive in the shape of the “Captain America” shield, a pocket guide to the Constitution and weightlifting gloves, according to the documents. He also left a suicide note with two people he had been staying with and left a message for his mother that he might not see her again.
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“Death is a natural part of life. Rejoice for those around us who transform into the Force,” he wrote in the note, according to the documents.
After his arrest, Caputo was sent to St. Elizabeths Hospital, a psychiatric facility in Washington, for a mental health evaluation.
The government has agreed to recommend the judge sentence Caputo only to a period of probation – with several conditions, including an order to stay away from Washington and any people or buildings under Secret Service protection.
Caputo will be sentenced December 6.