Felony charges have been filed against Luis Angel Vega, the chief of staff for Rep. Pete Sessions, R-Texas, alleging he brought an unlicensed pistol into the U.S. Capitol complex on Dec. 22, 2025. Court records describe Capitol security discovering a black pis
The morning of Dec. 22, 2025, was supposed to be routine inside the Capitol complex. Instead, a bag went through a security checkpoint scan at the entrance to a House of Representatives office building—and a firearm and ammunition were found.
Luis Angel Vega, the chief of staff for Rep. Pete Sessions, R-Texas, now faces felony charges tied to that incident, according to court records. The allegations include carrying a pistol outside his home without a license and unlawful conduct on Capitol grounds.
Court records say Capitol security officers found a black pistol and ammunition inside Vega’s bag as it was being scanned at the checkpoint. Vega was then instructed to lock up the firearm in his car and return to rescreen his bag, and court filings state he followed that instruction.
Vega admits he did not have a license to carry the pistol. and court documents describe a phone interview conducted by U.S. Capitol Police a week after the incident. During that interview, Vega told officers he lacked a license to carry the pistol. Records also describe how he explained he typically entered the House office building with Sessions.
In court materials. Sessions is referred to as “Witness-1.” Vega told officers that he usually entered with Sessions. described in the filings as exempt from security screenings. Court records further describe that Vega characterized the day of the offense as out of the ordinary. saying “Witness-1 entered the building separately from the defendant and the defendant forgot there was a pistol in his bag.”.
Vega made his first court appearance on June 5, according to online court records. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 10.
Sessions’ office and Vega’s attorney did not immediately respond to requests for comment on June 5.
Pete Sessions Luis Angel Vega U.S. Capitol Police felony charges firearm unlicensed pistol Capitol complex House of Representatives office building court records Washington DC security