Kimberly DiFrancesco

Case Summary

Kimberly DiFrancesco sent three pictures from inside the U.S. Capitol to a friend, whose spouse then reported DiFrancesco to the FBI, court documents show. The pictures represent a small part of the approximately 30 minutes prosecutors say DiFrancesco spent inside the Capitol with fellow defendant Trudy Castle. The FBI says DiFrancesco and Castle can be seen on surveillance footage entering through the Senate Wing door and walking through the Capitol, including going up and down to the lower level visitor’s center more than once. DiFrancesco wore a red hooded sweatshirt, green pants, gray gym shoes, black jacket, black backpack and something black on her head, according to court documents. Cell records show DiFrancesco’s phone traveled from the Chicago area to Washington and used cell sites consistent with an area that includes the Capitol, prosecutors say. Those records also allowed investigators to identify Castle, according to the FBI. DiFrancesco and Castle were both arrested in Chicago.

Case History

DiFrancesco pleaded guilty to Parading, Demonstrating, or Picketing in a Capitol Building. Sentenced 11/22/2022 to 30 months of probation, $2,000 fine, $500 restitution; $10 special assessment. DeFrancesco received a full pardon on January 20, 2025

Sources

• Primary Documentation
  NPR Jan. 6 Defendant DatabaseNPR
• Primary Documentation
  Underlying court recordCourt record linked by NPR

Case summary, charges, procedural updates and image are drawn from the NPR Jan. 6 archive snapshot dated 2026-09-25 unless otherwise indicated.