Mr. Wood, 37, a freelance photographer and videographer based in San Antonio, was one of over 200 people arrested at the protest, which was organized by an activist group called Disrupt J20. Among those arrested were nine journalists. The government has dropped the charges against seven of those people. Mr. Wood and Aaron Cantú, a staff reporter at The Santa Fe Reporter in New Mexico who was working as a freelancer in January, were the only two journalists who faced charges. Mr. Cantú’s trial is scheduled for October 2018.

Mr. Wood had primarily worked as a commercial photographer but had been trying to build his portfolio as a photojournalist when he went to cover the J20 protest.

Leading up to Inauguration Day, Mr. Wood sent emails to editors in San Antonio, including one to an editor at Rivard Report, a local news website. One email read, “Just checking in. Got any assignments you want to throw at me?” In another, Mr. Wood said he was interested in focusing on “street friction, protest and support and police.”

Mr. Wood live-streamed the event on Facebook, which ended up being a prime piece of evidence in the case — both for the prosecution and his defense.

The Facebook video showed Mr. Wood documenting the protest as it turned violent, and into what the government classified as a riot. Mr. Wood can be seen taking photographs and is heard letting out cries of “Whoo!” as he documents protesters vandalizing property. He also identifies himself as a journalist and flashes a press pass.