Category: US Department of Justice

Source: United States Department of Justice News

            WASHINGTON — A Connecticut man has been arrested on felony and misdemeanor charges, including assaulting law enforcement, 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.

            Richard Markey, 38, of Wolcott, Connecticut, is charged in a criminal complaint filed in the District of Columbia with assaulting a federal officer with a deadly or dangerous weapon; obstruction of law enforcement during civil disorder; entering or remaining in a restricted building or grounds without lawful authority; disorderly or disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds; engaging in physical violence in a restricted building or grounds; disorderly or disruptive conduct in a Capitol building or grounds; obstructing or impeding passage within or through a Capitol building or grounds, and violent conduct in a Capitol building or grounds.

            Markey was arrested in Wolcott and made his initial appearance today in the District of Connecticut.

            According to court documents, on Jan. 6, 2021, at approximately 2:41 p.m., numerous United States Capitol Police (USCP) and Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers positioned themselves at the exterior archway, also referred to as the “tunnel,” leading to the lower west terrace exterior door after having had their positions on the lower west terrace of the U.S. Capitol building overrun by rioters. Officers fell back to the tunnel in an effort to prevent rioters from entering the building through that entrance and formed a police line. Only a few minutes later, rioters began entering the tunnel and attacking the officers.

            Court documents state that from approximately 2:42 p.m. on, numerous rioters attempted to breach the police line that formed in the tunnel, using a variety of weapons and their bodies to overcome police. A review of surveillance footage from the scene depicts an individual, later identified as Markey, abruptly emerging from the riotous mob near the south side of the tunnel, climbing on top of other rioters, and holding what appears to be a police baton.

            Video footage shows Markey pushing himself toward the police line, raising the baton, and striking at law enforcement. Court documents say that Markey allegedly struck these officers in the face and head. Markey then loses the baton but continues to strike at police with his fists. Several seconds later, another rioter would join Markey on top of the mob to join the assault on the police.

            Court records state that Markey then begins to pull at and kick a police shield from an officer. Moments later, an MPD officer attempts to deter Markey from his assault using a wooden pole. Markey is accused of pulling the wooden pole away from the officer and using it to strike at police. Court documents say that Markey struck at police with such force that the wooden pole snapped. Markey then departed the tunnel entrance and police line a while later.

            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 Connecticut.

            This case is being investigated by the FBI’s Washington and New Haven Field Offices, which identified Markey as BOLO (“Be On the Look Out”) 265-AFO (Assault on a Federal Officer) 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.

            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 — An Illinois man was sentenced today on multiple felony and misdemeanor convictions 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.

            Kevin James Lyons, 40, of Chicago, was sentenced to 51 months in prison after he was convicted of six charges, including one felony and five misdemeanors, following a stipulated trial in the District of Columbia before U.S. District Judge Beryl A. Howell. In addition to the prison term, Judge Howell ordered 36 months of supervised release and restitution of $2,000 to the Architect of the Capitol.

            According to the government’s stipulated evidence, on Jan. 5, 2021, Lyons posted on his Instagram account a map with directions from his hometown in Chicago to Washington, D.C., commenting, “I refuse to tell my children that I sat back did nothing. I’m heading to DC to STOP THE STEAL!” On Jan. 6, 2021, Lyons attended a rally on the Ellipse and, afterward, joined a crowd of others as they traveled to the Capitol building. Lyons recorded much of his actions that day with his cell phone and texted periodic updates to others not present at the Capitol. 

            Once on the Capitol grounds, Lyons gathered with other rioters and encountered tear gas and flashbangs. Lyons did not leave the grounds; rather, he stated his intentions, saying, “We’re storming the Capitol building” and “I guess we’re all going to jail.” Lyons then yelled, “Let’s take it!” before heading up the Capitol stairs toward the Senate Wing doors. Lyons yelled comments at police officers while he walked toward the Senate Wing door, saying, “Oath breakers!” “Fucking Nazi bastards!” and “Traitors!”

            Once inside the Capitol building, Lyons walked down a hallway towards the Crypt, shouting, “Nancy, where are you?” and repeatedly calling out the Speaker’s name in a menacing tone, joining others in searching for the former Speaker of the House. Lyons also called out to House Majority Whip Steny Hoyer. Lyons eventually made his way to the House Speaker’s office. Inside the office, Lyons filmed himself as he walked around a took a picture of himself reflected in a mirror. Lyons approached a coat hanging on a rack, removed a wallet from the jacket, and placed it inside his hooded zip-up pocket. Inside of the Speaker’s office suite, Lyons repeatedly encouraged other rioters to steal items from the office.

            Lyons then entered the House Speaker’s personal office and removed a framed photograph from atop her mantle. The photograph, which depicted the Speaker with the late Representative John Lewis standing in front of the Gate of No Return in Ghana during their final trip abroad together, had been given to the Speaker two months after Congressman Lewis’ death. The photograph was a gift from a former member of her staff who had been on the trip and took the picture. Lyons later texted a picture of the photograph, stating, “I took this off Nancy Pelosi’s fucking desk!!” and” I’m pretty confident I am now a multiple Federal felon.”  After leaving the Capitol in a rideshare, Lyons posed for a photo holding the stolen framed photograph that he had taken from the House Speaker’s office. The framed photograph was never recovered.

            Lyons was found guilty on April 7, 2023, of entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds; disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds; entering and remaining in certain rooms in the Capitol building; disorderly conduct at the grounds and in a Capitol building; parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building; and obstruction of an official proceeding and aiding and abetting.

            This case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. Valuable assistance was provided by the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois.

            .This case was investigated by the FBI’s Washington 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.

Source: United States Department of Justice News

            WASHINGTON — A Georgia man has been arrested on felony and misdemeanor charges, including assaulting law enforcement officers, for his actions during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on January 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.

            Phillip Crawford, 47, of Douglasville, Georgia, is charged in a criminal complaint filed in the District of Columbia with felony offenses of forcibly assaulting, resisting, or opposing law enforcement officers, and obstructing, impeding, or interfering with law enforcement during a civil disorder. Crawford is also charged with misdemeanor offenses of knowingly entering or remaining in a restricted building or grounds; disorderly or disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds; and knowingly engaging in an act of violence in a restricted area or grounds.

            Crawford was arrested on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, and made his initial appearance in the Northern District of Georgia.

            According to court documents, based on publicly available video footage from Jan. 6, 2021, Crawford can be seen on the Capitol grounds rallying fellow rioters to charge at the lower west terrace tunnel entrance of the building, where officers were stacked to prevent entry. Court documents say that while making his way to the terrace tunnel entrance, Crawford joined fellow rioters chanting: “Pull them out!”

            Court documents state that once Crawford is at the mouth of the tunnel and immediately in front of officers Crawford then throws his body into the line, indiscriminately grabbing and punching at all the officers. Crawford then grabbed an officer that lost his footing and attempted to pull the officer away from the police line. Crawford finally takes a fallen gas mask and with both hands throws it at the nearest officer to him.

            This case is being prosecuted by the United States 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 United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia.

            This case is being investigated by the FBI’s Field Office in Atlanta, Georgia, and Washington, D.C., which identified Asbury as BOLO (“Be On the Look Out”) #122 on its seeking information photos. Valuable assistance was provided by the United States 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 – Keith Hudson, 28, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to 19 years in prison for second degree murder while armed in the February 6, 2021, shooting death of Isaiah Glover. Superior Court Judge Anthony C. Epstein also ordered five years of supervised release. The sentence was announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Interim Chief Ashan Benedict, of the Metropolitan Police Department.

            According to the government’s evidence, around 2:40 p.m. on February 6, 2021, the victim was walking on Hunt Place NE, when he turned south onto the 800 block of 42nd Street and encountered the defendant. Hudson was driving a white Buick LeSabre. He drove north on 42nd Street NE past Mr. Glover, then intentionally made a U-turn and drove back south on 42nd Street past Mr. Glover again. Mr. Glover took a right onto Hunt Place SE and headed towards Minnesota Ave. NE. After passing Mr. Glover twice, the defendant drove to Gault Street NE and 42nd Street NE where he parked the vehicle. The defendant got out of his car and walked towards Hunt Place SE and Minnesota Ave., and followed Mr. Glover into the alley behind 4147 Minnesota Ave, NE. Mr. Glover was unaware that he was being followed. The defendant quickly caught up to Mr. Glover. He drew a .40 caliber firearm out of his front hoodie pocket and, just as soon as Mr. Glover realized that the was being followed, the defendant shot Mr. Glover twice. Mr. Glover sustained a life ending injury to his brain. The defendant then ran through a perpendicular alley, back to his car, and fled. Law enforcement and paramedics arrived at the alley and pronounced Isaiah Glover dead at 2:53 pm.

            “This sentence will remove a dangerous person from our District’s streets for a substantial period of time,” said U.S. Attorney Graves. “Our office is grateful for the detectives who doggedly pursued this case and offers our sincerest condolences to Isaiah Glover’s family on this tragic loss.” 

            Officers with the Metropolitan Police Department arrested Hudson on February 9, 2021 and has been in custody since. Hudson pleaded guilty on April 14, 2023.

            In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Graves and Interim Chief Benedict commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. They acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case form the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialist Kelly Blakeney, Victim/Witness Advocate Latrice Washington-Williams.

            Finally, they commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrea Coronado, who investigated and prosecuted the case.

Source: United States Department of Justice News

           WASHINGTON – A Florida woman was sentenced today on multiple felony charges, including assaulting law enforcement, related to her actions during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Her 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.

            Audrey Ann Southard-Rumsey, 54, of Spring Hill, Florida, was sentenced to 72 months in prison after she was found guilty of seven felony charges, including three counts of assaulting, resisting, or impeding officers, three counts of civil disorder, and one count of obstruction of an official proceeding.

            Southard-Rumsey was sentenced following a stipulated trial in the District of Columbia before U.S. District Judge Amit P. Mehta. In addition to the prison term, Judge Mehta ordered 36 months of supervised release and restitution of $2,000 to the Architect of the Capitol.

            According to the government’s evidence, following the 2020 election, Southard-Rumsey amplified calls for revolution on social media and worked with others on a declaration calling for the abolition of the Democratic Party and the institution of a new government. On social media, Southard-Rumsey wrote posts including, “HANG the TRAITORS!!!” “Arrest and hang these traitors,” “go to their work and home pull them out by their teeth and hang them for treason!”

            On Jan. 5, 2021, Southard-Rumsey traveled from her home in Florida to Washington, D.C., with others. On January 6, Southard-Rumsey attended a rally at the Ellipse and then made her way toward the Capitol building, arriving on the east plaza by 11:30 a.m. Around noon, Southard-Rumsey uploaded a photograph of herself at the east plaza to Facebook, writing, “DC taking it back!!” Four minutes later, Southard-Rumsey broadcasted a live video of herself on Facebook, stating, “standing in front of the capitol building, ready to take it. As soon as we get enough people up here. Storm the capitol building, it’s gonna be fun.”

            At approximately 2:00 p.m., hundreds of rioters pushed through the police barricades at the east front and advanced, forcing officers to retreat partway up the steps leading to the Rotunda doors. Having been at the front of the crowd at the barricades, Southard-Rumsey was front and center as the large crowd confronted the police officers. Southard-Rumsey encountered a Capitol Police officer on the stairs leading to the building and tried to rip his riot shield out of his hands. She entered the Capitol building through the east Rotunda door at approximately 2:26 p.m.

            Southard-Rumsey then walked to the statuary hall connector area, stopped, and stood in front of a U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) sergeant and several other USCP officers. She was captured on video yelling, “Tell Pelosi we are coming for that b****,” and “There’s a hundred thousand of us, what’s it going to be?”

            At some point during her interaction with the police sergeant, Southard-Rumsey obtained a flagpole, which she held in her hands and pressed against the sergeant’s chest. Southard-Rumsey then started pushing the sergeant, causing him to fall backward into the first set of doors leading to the House floor. As a result, the doors flew open, and the sergeant struck the back of his head on the base of a marble Lafayette statue. At the door to the House Chamber, Southard-Rumsey yelled, “we’re coming for you!”  

            Southard-Rumsey was removed from the area near the House Chamber by officers and made her way to the Rotunda. She joined a group of individuals who, seeking access to the House Speaker’s office, pushed a group of police officers down a set of stairs. She then returned to the Rotunda, where officers attempted to clear the area of unauthorized individuals. Southard-Rumsey then grabbed two officers’ batons and then grasped a metal stanchion with both hands, threatening the officers nearby.

            Southard-Rumsey was arrested on June 2, 2021.

            The case was 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.

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

           Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.