Virginia Poker Player Arrested for Role in 2021 Attack on US Capitol

Posted on: June 16, 2023, 03:27h. 

Last updated on: June 16, 2023, 11:52h.

Erik Gibbs Read More
Expertise: Asia Pacific Gaming, Gaming Business, Global Gaming.

A doctor and part-time poker player from Virginia was taken into police custody Thursday for reportedly causing damage to the Capitol during the events of Jan. 6, 2021. Court records reveal that police picked up Karthik Ramakrishnan for his role as part of the continuing investigation into the riot.

Karthik Ramakrishnan wears a surgical mask and beats a drum
Karthik Ramakrishnan, wearing a surgical mask and beating a drum. His disguise hasn’t stopped the poker player and doctor from facing charges as part of the investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol building riots. (Image: FBI)

Ramakrishnan, who resides in Bluefield, Va, faces charges for his actions within the Capitol complex, according to NBC News journalist Ryan J. Reilly. A seven-page criminal complaint shows that Ramakrishnan arrived at the scene only six minutes after the attack began.

The Capitol attack was an assault on the US Capitol Building that took place on Jan. 6, 2021. It was a result of the 2020 presidential election that then-President Donald Trump lost to Joe Biden. Some people have alleged that Trump instigated the attack, although he hasn’t been charged with any wrongdoing.

Running with the Mob

In April of last year, the FBI received a report from an informant claiming that Ramakrishnan had made a trip to Washington, DC, on January 6. The informant, who was a colleague of Ramakrishnan, also shared that the 45-year-old had sent them media content of his journey, which included snapshots of the demonstrations that resulted in the violent unrest.

During the unwelcome Capitol visit, the 45-year-old doctor donned a surgical mask, which he eventually took off while carrying a small drum. He toured the Capitol for under 30 minutes and eventually departed through a main entrance.

The criminal complaint adds that Ramakrishnan shared his antics with an unidentified business associate, even sending him selfies as he attended a pre-riot rally. Ramakrishnan allegedly told the individual that he had more photos, but he wasn’t going to share them in order to protect himself.

The business associate became an informant and told the FBI what he knew. That led to an investigation and subsequent interrogation of Ramakrishnan. He denied the allegation, despite the presence of the photos – his and others from the investigation – that prove he was there.

Ramakrishnan, who reportedly has no criminal record, will make his first court appearance next Thursday. Given his initial reaction during the investigation, it’s likely he’ll plead not guilty.

Life Dedicated to Healing Others

Ramakrishnan’s LinkedIn profile shows that he claims to have over 20 years of medical expertise. When police arrested him, he was working at Infinity Medical Management, an outpatient clinic company with seven locations in Virginia and West Virginia, that he founded in 2011.

An advocate for “healthy homes and healthy food,” Ramakrishnan has enjoyed a moderately successful side career at the poker tables. His profile on Hendon Mob shows that he’s earned more than $440K in prize money from live poker competitions in the US and overseas.

His first time in the money was a min-cash for just $281 at a Rio Daily Deepstacks event in 2012. His largest cash to date was in the 2016 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Circuit $1,675 No-Limit Hold’em Main Event at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort in Cherokee, North Carolina. Ramakrishnan finished fourth for $96,617.

He also has a first-place win at a WSOP Circuit event. In November 2014, Ramakrishnan took down the $365 No-Limit Hold ’em event at Harrah’s, adding $91,166 to his bank.

As the investigation into the January riots continues, officials continue to make more arrests. So far, more than 1,000 people face various charges, according to Jan6thData on Twitter.

This month has seen the most charges brought against January 6 participants “of any single month” in the past two years. Those figures only address the unsealed cases available to the public, and it’s possible there are other that have yet to be reported because of their sensitive nature.