Source: United States Department of Justice News
WASHINGTON – A Massachusetts man was found guilty in the District of Columbia 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.
Noah Bacon, 29, of Somerville, Massachusetts, was found guilty after a trial in U.S. District Court yesterday of obstruction of an official proceeding, a felony, and the misdemeanor charges of: entering or remaining in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly or disruptive conduct in a restricted building, entering and remaining in the gallery of either House of Congress, disorderly or disruptive conduct in a Capitol building, and parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building. The jury reached unanimous verdicts on all counts. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for June 14, 2023.
According to the government’s evidence, on Jan. 6, 2021, Bacon was among a mob of rioters illegally on the Capitol grounds. He entered the Capitol Building at approximately 2:15 p.m., through the Senate Wing Door, and remained inside for about 50 minutes. While inside the building, Bacon moved through areas including the Crypt, Hall of Columns, Rotunda, the East Rotunda Door vestibule area, the Senate Gallery, and the Senate Chamber where he sat for approximately 10 minutes. While in the East Rotunda Door vestibule area, Bacon attempted to keep the breached door open as other rioters streamed inside. He also used a “Don’t Tread on Me” flag to cover a security camera before using the stairwell to move to the Senate Gallery hallway. After rioters prevented United States Capitol Police officers from securing the galleries, he entered an unlocked senate gallery.
Bacon was arrested on June 30, 2021, in Somerville, Massachusetts.
The charge of obstruction of an official proceeding and aiding and abetting carries a statutory maximum of twenty years imprisonment. The five misdemeanor offenses carry a combined statutory maximum of three and half years of imprisonment. All charges carry 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 the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts.
The case was investigated by the FBI’s Boston Field Office and Washington Field Office. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.
In the 25 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 985 individuals have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including approximately 319 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.