Category: US Department of Justice

Source: United States Department of Justice News

            A Washington state man pleaded guilty today to felony charges, including assaulting a law enforcement officer, related to 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.

             Tucker Weston, 34, of Lynnwood, Washington, pleaded guilty today in the District of Columbia to two felony offenses, including assault on a federal officer and civil disorder. U.S. District Court Judge Reggie B. Walton scheduled a sentencing hearing for Nov. 21, 2023.

            According to court documents, Weston traveled from Seattle, Washington, to Washington, D.C., to attend the “Stop the Steal” rally at the Ellipse. On the morning of Jan. 6, 2021, Weston attended the rally and, afterward, marched with other protestors toward the U.S. Capitol. Near the Capitol, Weston participated in removing a metal barricade on the Capitol grounds, which enabled the rioters to advance closer to the building.

            Court documents say that Weston then reached the Lower West Plaza of the grounds and confronted a group of police officers that stood between the crowd and the Capitol building. At around 1:02 p.m., court documents state that during this confrontation, Weston and a group of rioters shoved police officers who attempted to prevent the rioters from getting closer. After breaching the Lower West Plaza, Weston made his way to the south side of the plaza. Here, Weston joined other rioters in using a bike rack to push back against law enforcement. Weston then approached another group of officers attempting to subdue another rioter and shoved those officers.

            Weston then left this area and moved up the northwest stairs to the Upper West Terrace and entered the Capitol building through a broken window next to the Senate Wing door. Weston remained in the building only briefly before exiting through the Senate Wing Door and making his way to the North Portico. 

            Court documents say that law enforcement officers removed Weston and others from the North Portico, and Weston then left the area and traveled to the northeast corner of the Capitol grounds, where he found a group of rioters vandalizing media equipment. Weston and other rioters then kicked and smashed the equipment. After kicking the equipment, Weston received a bag of stolen media equipment from another rioter and walked away.

            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 Western District of Washington.

            This case is being investigated by the FBI’s Seattle Field Office and the FBI’s Washington Field Office, which identified Weston as AFO #437 on its seeking information photos. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.

            In the 30 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,069 individuals have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 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.

Source: United States Department of Justice News

            WASHINGTON — A New York man was sentenced today for assaulting a law enforcement officer 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.

            Thomas F. Sibick, 37, of Buffalo, New York, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson to 50 months in prison, 36 months of supervised release, and ordered to pay $7,500.79 in restitution. Sibick pleaded guilty to one felony count of assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers and one misdemeanor count of theft on March 3, 2023.

            According to court documents, on Jan. 6, 2021, Sibick made his way illegally onto the ground of the U.S. Capitol and into the mob gathered on the West Plaza. Here, Sibick posted a “selfie” video on Instagram depicting himself in the mob. The video pans the crowd with the caption, “Wildest experience of my life!!” Sibick then filmed himself screaming, “Just got tear-gassed, but we’re going, baby, we’re going! We’re pushing forward now!

            Court documents say that a group of United States Capitol Police (USCP) and Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers had formed a police line at one of the two glass doorways on the Lower West Terrace that lead inside the Capitol to prevent a mob of rioters from entering.

            At approximately 3:08 p.m., Sibick joined a crowd of rioters in this area who were pushing against the police line, entered the tunnel, and made his way to the front of the mob. Sibick then left the crowd only to return a short while later.

            At this time, court documents say that around 3:15 p.m., an MPD officer at the front of the police line was pulled into the crowd of rioters. Once the officer was in the mob, various members of the crowd began to assault the officer, including by tasing, kicking, punching, grabbing, and throwing objects. The officer also had his limbs restrained while a rioter attempted to remove the officer’s service weapon from the holster. Court documents say that a member of the mob threatened to take the officer’s gun and kill the officer.

            While the officer was attacked, body-worn camera footage shows Sibick reaching toward the officer and forcibly removing the officer’s badge and radio. Later, court documents say that Sibick posed for a picture of himself holding and pointing to a USCP riot shield.

            Sibick returned the stolen badge to federal authorities after having taken it home with him and buried it in his backyard in Buffalo. The radio was never recovered.

            This case was 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 Western District of New York.

            This case was investigated by the FBI’s Buffalo Field Office and Washington Field Office, which identified Sibick as BOLO (“Be On the Look Out”) #115 on its seeking information photos.

            Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.

            In the 30 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,069 individuals have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 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.

Source: United States Department of Justice News

            WASHINGTON — A Massachusetts man was sentenced today in the District of Columbia on felony and misdemeanor offenses 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 S. Bacon, 30, of Somerville, Massachusetts, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Christopher R. Cooper to 12 months in prison, two years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $2,000 in restitution.

            Massachusetts Man Sentenced for Felony and Misdemeanor Charges Related to Capitol BreachBacon was found guilty by a jury on March 3, 2023, 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.

            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 from the East Front. He also used a “Don’t Tread on Me” flag to cover a security camera before proceeding up the Gallery Stairs and onward toward the Senate Gallery hallway. Bacon was among the initial wave of rioters arriving at the Senate Gallery and watched as rioters prevented United States Capitol Police officers from securing the gallery doors, . As Bacon entered the Senate Chamber balcony, he unlatched the cam bolt on a second door, facilitating entry for others.

            Court documents say that Bacon and the other rioters then maneuvered down to the second floor, gaining access to the Senate Chamber, and found a seat in the back of the chamber, where he remained for approximately 10 minutes as rioters freely roamed the chamber rummaging through desks and paperwork. Bacon exited the Capitol building at approximately 3:06 p.m. 

            Bacon was arrested on June 30, 2021, in Somerville, Massachusetts.

            This case was 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.

            This 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 30 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,069 individuals have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 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.

Source: United States Department of Justice News

            WASHINGTON — A Massachusetts man has been arrested on felony and misdemeanor charges related to 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.

            Michael St. Pierre, 46, of Swansea, Massachusetts, is charged in a criminal complaint filed in the District of Columbia with a felony offense of civil disorder. In addition, St. Pierre is charged with several misdemeanor offenses, including destruction of government property; knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority; disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds; engaging in physical violence in a restricted building or grounds; and committing an act of physical violence in the Capitol grounds or buildings.

            St. Pierre was arrested today in Fall River and will make his initial appearance in the District of Massachusetts.

            According to court documents, St. Pierre traveled from his home in Massachusetts to Washington, D.C, and participated in the U.S. Capitol riots on Jan. 6, 2021. While walking towards the Capitol grounds, St. Pierre can be heard stating that the Capitol is “where the meeting ground is. Hopefully, they’ll bust through, and I’ll join them to rush the Capitol, to grab Nancy Pelosi by the hair.”

            Court documents state that video footage taken from that day depicts a man, later identified as St. Pierre, throwing an object through the open exterior doors at a set of interior doors of the Capitol building. Video footage also shows U.S. Capitol Police officers attempting to manage the crowd outside the doors and finally retreating to the interior entryway of the building as the crowd became more violent. Once the officers were inside, several protesters, including St. Pierre, threw objects at the doors that the officers were behind.

            St. Pierre is also seen encouraging others to assist him as he joins a group of rioters pushing against a police line. In another open-source video, court documents say that St. Pierre is seen encouraging rioters to enter the Capitol building through a megaphone, stating, “We need everybody, let’s get in the Capitol.”

            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 Massachusetts.  

            The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Boston Field Office. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.

            In the 30 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,069 individuals have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 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.

            A complaint is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Source: United States Department of Justice News

            WASHINGTON — Two men from Florida and Illinois were arrested on felony and misdemeanor charges related to 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.

            William Bierbrodt, 55, of St. Cloud, Florida, and Joseph Bierbrodt, 54, of Sheridan, Illinois, were charged in a complaint filed in the District of Columbia and unsealed today.

            William Bierbrodt is charged with a felony offense of obstruction of law enforcement during civil disorder. In addition, he is charged with misdemeanor offenses of entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds; disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds; physical violence in a restricted building or grounds; disorderly conduct in a capitol building or grounds; parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building; and willfully injure or depredate any property of the United States.

            Joseph Bierbrodt is charged with a felony offense of obstruction of law enforcement during civil disorder and a second felony offense of assault on a federal officer or on a person assisting a federal officer. Joseph is charged with additional misdemeanor offenses of entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds; disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds; physical violence in a restricted building or ground; disorderly conduct in a Capitol building or grounds; parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building; and physical violence in a Capitol building or grounds.

            William Bierbrodt was arrested in St. Cloud, Florida, and made his initial appearance in the Middle District of Florida. Joseph Bierbrodt was arrested in Sheridan, Illinois, and made his initial appearance in the Northern District of Illinois. William and Joseph are brothers and were arrested on July 26, 2023.

            According to court documents, on Jan. 6, 2021, at approximately 2:41 p.m., CCTV footage and other open-source videos depict a man, later identified as William Bierbrodt, using his cane to break a window on the Senate Wing fire door and unlatch the locked door, letting in other rioters. Court documents state that Joseph Bierbrodt stood by with his back to the door while William repeatedly hit the window with his cane. The Bierbrodts then entered the Senate Wing through the previously unlocked door, where they and other rioters encountered law enforcement officers attempting to push back rioters and close the door.

            Court documents say that after breaching the door, Joseph assaulted a U.S. Capitol Police officer by slamming the officer against a wall. The brothers and other rioters then moved further into the Senate Wing and were met again by a line of police officers. These officers deployed OC spray to prevent the rioters from advancing further.

            According to court documents, Joseph then turned around and exited the building at approximately 2:44 p.m. At approximately 3:02 p.m., Joseph was photographed assisting his brother with his exit from the Senate Wing. 

            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 Middle District of Florida and the Northern District of Illinois.

            The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Washington, Tampa, and Chicago Field Offices. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.

            In the 30 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,069 individuals have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 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.

            A complaint is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.