Source: United States Department of Justice News
Defendant Accused of Spraying Chemical Irritant at Officers; Two Others Charged With Misdemeanor Offenses
WASHINGTON — Three Ohioans were indicted late yesterday on charges stemming from their actions during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Their 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.
Ryan Swoope, 28, Saul Llamas 29, and Jordan Siemers, 25, all of Perry, Ohio were arrested November 30, 2022. Swoope was indicted on five felony charges including assaulting law enforcement officers with a dangerous weapon and interfering with law enforcement officers during a civil disorder. Swoope was also indicted on three misdemeanor offenses: disorderly conduct in a Capitol Building or grounds, engaging in an act of violence in the Capitol grounds, and parading, demonstrating, and picketing in a Capitol Building or grounds.
Llamas and Siemers were indicted on four misdemeanor offenses: entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly conduct in a Capitol Building or grounds, and parading, demonstrating, and picketing in a Capitol Building or grounds.
According to court documents, on Jan. 6, 2021, the three defendants illegally entered the Capitol grounds and entered the Capitol Building at approximately 3:08 p.m. through the Senate Wing Door. Swoope went inside the Senate Spouses’ Lounge, where he joined others in a mob in chanting, “Who’s House? Our House.” The three left the Capitol after nine minutes inside.
Swoope subsequently joined rioters outside the North Door of the Capitol, where a crowd overcame a police line attempting to secure the building and area. Law enforcement officers were forced to fall back into the Capitol Building. Swoope then sprayed a chemical irritant into an open door and in the direction of officers. The irritant wafted in the direction of a Capitol Police sergeant, leading to coughing and watering of eyes.
This case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio.
The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Cleveland Field Office and the FBI’s Washington Field Office, which identified Swoope as #486 on its seeking information photos. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.
In the 24 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 950 individuals have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 284 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.
A complaint or indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.