Illinois Man Guilty in Jan. 6 Capitol Riot

WASHINGTON D.C. – A Springfield, Illinois man has been convicted for his role in the January 6, 2021, assault on the U.S. Capitol. Thomas B. Adams Jr., 41, was found guilty of obstruction of an official proceeding and aiding and abetting, a felony, and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, a misdemeanor, following a stipulated trial in the District of Columbia.

The January 6th breach disrupted the joint session of U.S. Congress convened to certify the electoral votes for the presidential election. According to stipulated facts presented in court, Adams bypassed security perimeters on the west side of the Capitol and joined the throngs of rioters who illegally entered the building. He specifically forced his way through the Parliamentarian Door – a fire door – at approximately 2:48 pm, allegedly aided by others using “window washing equipment.” He admitted to the FBI he walked over broken glass.

Once inside, Adams brazenly ignored a line of U.S. Capitol Police officers attempting to contain the riot. He pushed past them and made his way toward the Senate Chamber, passing by Vice President Pence’s ceremonial office. At 3:04 pm, Adams entered the Senate Chamber itself, fully aware he lacked authorization. He then walked onto the Senate floor, mingling among the desks of seated Senators and taking pictures with his cellphone. Law enforcement forcibly escorted him from the building via the Senate Carriage Door at approximately 3:11 pm, which Adams described to investigators as being “forced out.”

The prosecution revealed Adams told a reporter after leaving the Capitol that he traveled from Illinois for the rally held by President Trump and was incited by Trump’s claims of a stolen election. In a February 4, 2021 interview with the FBI, Adams claimed his intent was to “peacefully occupy” the Capitol, suggesting a potentially prolonged siege – “one day, five days, or a week.”

Adams was initially arrested on April 13, 2021, in Springfield, Illinois. He now faces a statutory maximum of 20 years in prison on the obstruction charge, along with potential financial penalties. Sentencing is scheduled for June 16, 2023, before U.S. District Court Judge Amit Mehta, who will consider U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors before issuing a final judgment.

This case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, with assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of Illinois. The FBI’s Springfield and Washington Field Offices led the investigation, with support from the Metropolitan Police Department and the U.S. Capitol Police. To date, over 950 individuals have been arrested in connection with the January 6th breach across nearly all 50 states, with over 284 charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement. The investigation remains active. Anyone with relevant information is urged to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or submit tips online at tips.fbi.gov.

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