It’s been nearly four years since the politically motivated attack on the U.S. Capitol as Donald Trump and his supporters sought to prevent Congress from affirming the 2020 presidential election results.
During the siege of the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, more than 140 police officers were assaulted including 80 from the U.S. Capitol Police and 60 from the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department.
The Capitol was damaged, government property was destroyed and other government property was stolen.
Losses arising from the Capitol siege exceed $2.8 million.
To date, more than 1,500 individuals have been charged criminally in federal court.
Under the leadership of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the FBI’s Washington field office, the investigation and prosecution of those responsible for the attack moves forward. In particular, the department continues to pursue those criminally culpable, especially those who assaulted law enforcement officers and engaged in disruptive or obstructive conduct that interfered with the peaceful transfer of power.
Breaking down charges
According to the Department of Justice, 1,572 defendants have been federally charged with crimes associated with the attack of the U.S. Capitol, which includes:
- 598 charged with assaulting, resisting or impeding law enforcement agents or officers or obstructing those officers during a civil disorder
- 171 defendants charged with using a deadly or dangerous weapon or causing serious bodily injury to an officer
- 174 defendants charged with entering a restricted area with a dangerous or deadly weapon
- 18 defendants charged with seditious conspiracy
- 88 defendants charged with destruction of government property
- 68 charged with theft of government property
All defendants charged in the January 6 prosecution have been charged with some form of trespass or disorderly conduct in violation of federal criminal codes.
Case resolutions
Pleas
Nearly 1,000 individuals have pleaded guilty which includes approximately 321 defendants who have pleaded guilty to felonies and 675 who have pleaded guilty only to misdemeanors.
Of those who pled guilty to felonies:
- 170 pleaded guilty to assaulting law enforcement
- 128 pleaded guilty to obstructing law enforcement during a civil disorder (riot)
- 69 pleaded guilty to assaulting law enforcement with a dangerous or deadly weapon
- Four pleaded guilty to seditious conspiracy– conspiring to use force against the United States.
Some of these defendants pled guilty to one or multiple felony charges related to their conduct.
Trials
- 215 individuals have been found guilty at contested trials in U.S. District Court
- 10 individuals were found guilty of seditious conspiracy
- 40 individuals have been convicted following an agreed-upon set of facts presented to and accepted by the court
Sentencings
Approximately 1,068 defendants have had their cases fully adjudicated and received sentences for their criminal activity on Jan. 6, including:
- 645 sentenced to periods of incarceration and an additional
- 145 defendants sentenced to periods of incarceration where they were allowed to serve the entirety of their sentence in home detention
Supreme Court decision – Fischer v. United States
As a result of Fischer v. United States, 23-5572, the government continues to review the cases of the approximately 259 defendants who, at the time Fischer was decided, were charged with or convicted of violating 18 U.S.C. § 1512 to determine whether the charge should continue to be prosecuted.
There are zero cases where a defendant was charged only for violating 18 U.S.C. § 1512. In other words, even if the government foregoes this charge, every charged defendant will continue to face exposure to other criminal charges.
Of those 259 defendants, at the time that Fischer was decided, approximately 126 defendants had cases still pending in the U.S. District Court, and 133 defendants had their cases fully adjudicated.
Of the 126 defendants with pending cases at the time that Fischer was decided, the government subsequently decided to forgo the Section 1512(c)(2) charge for approximately 96 defendants, will continue to pursue the charge for approximately 13 defendants, and continues to assess the remaining defendants.
For the 133 defendants whose cases had been adjudicated by the time Fischer was decided (i.e., post-sentencing), the government has taken the position, in response to defense motions, that it does not oppose dismissal or vacatur of the charge in approximately 54 cases. The government similarly continues to assess the remaining cases when appropriate.
To date, four defendants have received a sentencing reduction because of Fischer.
Wanted by the FBI
The FBI currently has nine videos of suspects wanted for violent assaults on law enforcement agents or officers.
The FBI has also sought information from the public to help apprehend violent offenders from January 6, 2021.
The FBI also seeks assistance to locate known fugitives including Evan Neumann, Adam Villarreal, Paul Belosic and Jeffrey Dale Snyder.
Anyone with tips may call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.
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Crystal Graham
