Source: United States Department of Justice News
Defendant Accused of Interfering with Law Enforcement Officers
WASHINGTON — A New York City man has been arrested on felony charges, including assaulting a law enforcement officer, for his actions during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. 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.
Elliot Resnick, 39, of New York, New York, is charged in a criminal complaint filed in the District of Columbia with obstructing, impeding, or interfering with any law enforcement officer lawfully engaged in the lawful performance of his official duties incident to and during the commission of a civil disorder; assaulting, resisting, or impeding officers; entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds; disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or on restricted grounds; and parading, picketing, or demonstrating in any of the Capitol buildings. He was arrested earlier today in the borough of Manhattan in the City of New York, New York. He is expected to make his initial appearance later today in the Southern District of New York.
According to court documents, on Jan. 6, 2021, Resnick was among a mob illegally massed on the East Plaza of the U.S. Capitol and one of the many who rushed up the Central East Steps when the police line fell at that location. As the crowd surged forward toward the East Rotunda Doors, Resnick moved with the crowd and can be seen repeatedly gesturing for others to come up the stairs. While police officers were fighting to keep the mob away from the East Rotunda Doors, Resnick grabbed and held the arm of a USCP officer who was at the time deploying a chemical irritant in an effort to keep rioters from entering the U.S. Capitol. Resnick was one of the first to push their way inside the Capitol through the East Rotunda Doors, entering at approximately 2:26 p.m.
When Resnick entered the Capitol, one door was open, and the other door was closed. After Resnick failed to push open the southern door of the East Rotunda Doors, which was closed, he reached through the open northern door and, using his arms began grabbing and pulling other rioters into the U.S. Capitol. Resnick entered several other areas of the U.S. Capitol, including Statuary Hall, the Crypt, and the subterranean Capitol Visitor’s Center. Resnick returned to the East Rotunda Doors at approximately 2:45 p.m. Resnick then stood at the threshold of the East Rotunda Doors, both of which were now fully open, and gestured and beckoned rioters outside to come inside. Resnick clapped others on the back as he successfully helped them to enter. Resnick left the Capitol through the East Rotunda Doors at 3:14 p.m., having remained inside for approximately 50 minutes. Over an hour later, however, MPD body worn camera showed Resnick still walking around on restricted Capitol grounds.
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 Southern District of New York.
The case is being investigated by the FBI’s New York Field Office and the FBI’s Washington Field Office. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.
In the 26 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 999 individuals have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 320 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 is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.