Source: United States Department of Justice News
Defendant Spent 37 Minutes Inside Capitol Building, Rifled Through Papers on Senators’ Desks
WASHINGTON – A Texas man was found guilty in the District of Columbia today of felony and misdemeanor charges for his actions during the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol breach. His actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the presidential election.
Larry Brock, 55, of Grapevine, Texas, was found guilty of a total of six charges, including one felony. The verdict followed a bench trial before U.S. District Judge John D. Bates.
According to the government’s evidence, Brock – a retired Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Air Force – was among rioters in a mob that illegally entered the Capitol grounds and Capitol Building on Jan. 6, 2021. Brock was wearing a tactical vest and had a helmet. He entered the Capitol at approximately 2:24 p.m. through the Senate Wing Doors. He moved through various areas of the building, including the Crypt and Rotunda. While in an area near the Rotunda Doors, he picked up a discarded pair of plastic flex-cuffs and kept them while in the building.
He entered the balcony of the Senate at approximately 2:43 p.m. and then moved downstairs and entered the Senate Chamber about five minutes later. He walked around the Senate Chamber for about eight minutes, and during that time, he rifled through paperwork on Senators’ desks. He then exited the Capitol at approximately 3:01 p.m., 37 minutes after he entered it.
In the weeks leading to Jan. 6, Brock posted messages on social media, including one on Dec. 27, 2020, in which he stated, “I prefer insurrection at this point,” and another on Jan. 5, in which he declared, “our second American Revolution begins in less than two days.”
Brock was arrested on Jan. 10, 2021, in Texas.
Brock was found guilty of the felony offense of obstruction of an official proceeding, and five misdemeanor offenses, including entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds; disorderly and disruptive conduct in a Capitol Building; entering and remaining on the floor of Congress; disorderly conduct in a Capitol Building, and parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol Building.
Brock is to be sentenced on Feb. 14, 2023. The felony obstruction charge carries a statutory maximum of 20 years in prison and potential financial penalties. The five misdemeanor offenses carry a combined statutory maximum of 3 ½ years of incarceration and potential financial penalties. The Court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. Valuable assistance was provided by U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas, and the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division.
The case was investigated by the FBI’s Dallas Field Office. Valuable assistance was provided by the FBI’s Washington Field Office, the U.S. Capitol Police, and the Metropolitan Police Department.
In the 22 months since Jan. 6, 2021, nearly 900 individuals have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including over 275 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement. The investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.