A Virginia man was found guilty today of felony and misdemeanor charges related to conduct during the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol.
Robert William DeGregoris, 33, of Aldie, was found guilty of civil disorder, a felony, and misdemeanor offenses of entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds and impeding passage through the Capitol grounds or building.
DeGregoris was convicted following a bench trial before U.S. District Judge Rudolph Contreras.
Judge Contreras will sentence DeGregoris on Feb. 7, 2025.
The FBI arrested DeGregoris on Jan. 25, 2023, in Virginia.
DeGregoris posted a photograph of himself on social media accounts on Jan. 6 with the captioned statement “Took some pepper spray & tear gas breaching the front doors….Worth it.”
According to evidence presented during the trial, DeGregoris was identified in publicly available images and open-source video on the Lower West Terrace of the U.S. Capitol building near an area known as the “tunnel.”
The tunnel was the site of some of the most violent attacks against law enforcement. DeGregoris can be seen in video footage climbing on the side of the entrance to the tunnel and later near a line of Metropolitan Police Department officers.
DeGregoris attempted to forcibly enter the tunnel and can be seen on Capitol building closed-circuit television footage reaching toward the nearest MPD officer.
CCTV footage depicts DeGregoris possibly striking the helmet of the nearby officer.
A few seconds later, DeGregoris was sprayed with Oleoresin Capsicum spray by a nearby officer.
However, despite being sprayed, DeGregoris continued to push with other rioters against the MPD front line for several more minutes.
Evidence showed that at approximately 4:07 p.m., DeGregoris was turned with his back toward the front line of MPD officers as he pushed against the MPD line and a rioter next to him sprayed officers with pepper spray.
Approximately 20 seconds later, DeGregoris can be seen assisting other rioters by helping to push a ladder toward the MPD officers.
Submit a tip to the FBI
In the 44 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,504 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 560 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, a felony. The investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.
Related coverage
For more coverage, search “Jan. 6” on Augusta Free Press.
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Crystal Graham
