Copeland Guilty of Jan. 6 Capitol Breach Assaults

Jonathan Joseph Copeland, 29, of Lima, Ohio, was found guilty today in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia on six felony and two misdemeanor counts stemming from his involvement in the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol. His actions were part of a chaotic scene that disrupted a joint session of Congress convened to count electoral votes.

Copeland was convicted of civil disorder, assaulting law enforcement, entering restricted areas, and engaging in physical violence with a deadly weapon. He also pleaded guilty to acts of violence within the Capitol complex and participating in a demonstration in the Capitol Building. Judge Dabney L. Friedrich will sentence him on September 18, 2024.

Evidence showed that Copeland traveled from Ohio to Georgia to attend then-President Trump’s speech, before heading to Washington, D.C., for the ‘Stop the Steal’ rally. He participated in a riotous march towards the U.S. Capitol, pushing through police lines and assisting in the breach of security barriers.

During the riot, Copeland was seen pushing a large metal sign into law enforcement officers, who were attempting to hold back the crowd from the Capitol building. The frame was described as heavy and equipped with sharp metal angles, posing a serious danger to officers. He also engaged in altercations with photographers, leading to violence towards one journalist.

After entering the Capitol building, Copeland navigated through public areas before exiting via a window adjacent to the Senate Wing Door. He was subsequently arrested by the FBI in Ohio on August 25, 2022.

This conviction is another step in holding those responsible for the Jan. 6 Capitol breach accountable for their actions, which threatened the integrity of American democracy and endangered the lives of law enforcement personnel and members of Congress.