Source: United States Department of Justice News
WASHINGTON – A New Jersey man pleaded guilty today to a felony charge 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 2020 presidential election.
Ezekiel Kurt Stecher, 48, of Sewell, New Jersey, pleaded guilty in the District of Columbia to one count of civil disorder, a felony offense. U.S. District Court Judge Randolph D. Moss scheduled a sentencing hearing for Sept. 7, 2023.
According to court documents, on Jan. 6, 2021, Stecher entered the exterior of the lower terrace tunnel door of the U.S. Capitol building and began to forcefully push the crowd forward towards the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) riot line and into the doors of the building. Court documents state that Stecher repeatedly pushed at the law enforcement officers attempting to stop the crowd from entering the building.
Court records say that Stecher and members of the crowd outside the doors chanted, “our house!” “stop the steal!” as they attempted to push their way inside the building. According to court documents, other individuals began to fight with police in the doorway, attempting to push and pull the officers out of the way to clear a path for the rioters to enter the building. A short time later, law enforcement officers sprayed chemical eye irritant to disperse the rioters, including Stecher, from the area.
Stecher was arrested on Dec. 8, 2021, in Mantua Township, New Jersey. He faces a statutory maximum of five years in prison, as well as potential financial penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
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 District of New Jersey.
The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Washington and Philadelphia Field Offices, which listed Stecher as #118 on its seeking information photos. Valuable assistance was provided by the Metropolitan Police Department and the U.S. Capitol Police.
In the 29 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,000 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including nearly 350 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.