Updates on the Capitol Breach arrests, criminal charges, pleas, trials, and sentencing
The attack on the U.S. Capitol disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress on January 6, 2021, while affirming the presidential election results. The government continues to investigate losses that resulted from the breach of the Capitol, including damage to the Capitol building and grounds, both inside and outside the building. As of October 14, 2022, the losses suffered as a result of the siege at the Capitol totaled $2,881,360.20, reflecting, among other things, damage to the Capitol building and grounds and certain costs borne by the U.S. Capitol Police.
The investigation and prosecution of those responsible for the attack are ongoing under the continued leadership of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the FBI’s Washington Field Office. The Department of Justice remains determined to hold accountable those who committed crimes on January 6, 2021.
January 6th Capitol Breach Arrests Made
As of May 5, 2023, over 1,033 defendants have been arrested in nearly all 50 states and the District of Columbia in relation to the Jan. 6th attack on the Capitol.
January 6th Capitol Breach Criminal Charges
Charges of assaulting, resisting, or impeding officers or employees have been brought against approximately 346 defendants, with about 108 individuals charged for causing serious bodily injury to an officer or using a deadly or dangerous weapon.
Approximately 140 police officers were assaulted Jan. 6 at the Capitol, including about 80 from the U.S. Capitol Police and about 60 from the Metropolitan Police Department.
Around 11 individuals have been arrested on charges related to assaulting a member of the media or destroying their equipment on January 6th.
Around 909 defendants have been charged with entering or remaining in a restricted federal building or grounds, with 103 defendants charged for entering a restricted area with a deadly or dangerous weapon.
About 61 defendants have been charged with destruction of government property, while approximately 49 defendants have been charged with theft of government property.
Over 309 defendants have been charged with corruptly obstructing, influencing, or impeding an official proceeding or attempting to do so.
Approximately 55 defendants have been charged with conspiracy, including conspiracy to obstruct a congressional proceeding, conspiracy to obstruct law enforcement during a civil disorder, conspiracy to injure an officer, or some combination of the three.
January 6th Capitol Breach Pleas
Around 570 individuals have pleaded guilty to various federal charges, and many of them are facing or will face incarceration upon sentencing. Approximately 149 defendants have pleaded guilty to felonies, while another 421 have pleaded guilty to misdemeanors.
Out of those who pleaded guilty to felonies, a total of 61 have pleaded guilty to federal charges of assaulting law enforcement officers, and around 33 additional defendants have pleaded guilty to obstructing, impeding, or interfering with a law enforcement officer during a civil disorder. Of the 94 defendants, 57 have received prison sentences of up to 90 months.
January 6th Capitol Breach Trials
To date, 78 individuals have been convicted after contested trials related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, which includes three found guilty in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. Additionally, 16 individuals have been convicted based on agreed-upon sets of facts. Among the 94 defendants, 29 were found guilty of felony offenses such as assaulting, resisting, or impeding officers, and obstructing officers during a civil disorder. One defendant has been sentenced to more than 14 years in prison for these charges.
Leaders of both the Oath Keepers and the Proud Boys were found guilty of seditious conspiracy in connection with the January 6, 2021 U.S. Capitol breach. Four members of the Oath Keepers (Roberto Minuta, Joseph Hackett, David Moerschel, and Edward Vallejo) were convicted on Monday, January 23, 2023 of coordinating and planning the attack, while four leaders of the Proud Boys (Henry “Enrique” Tarrio, Ethan Nordean, Joseph Biggs, Zachary Rehl) were convicted on Thursday, May 4, 2023 for recruiting members, providing tactical training, and coordinating the breach. The defendants could face potential life sentences for their involvement in the insurrection.
January 6th Capitol Breach Sentencing
The criminal cases of around 485 federal defendants related to the events on Jan. 6 have resulted in sentences. Of these defendants, approximately 277 have been sentenced to periods of imprisonment. Approximately 113 defendants have been sentenced to a period of home detention, with about 15 of them also receiving a period of incarceration.
