Maryland Man Charged for Assaulting Police with Weapon at Jan. 6 US Capitol Breach

WASHINGTON – Thomas Joseph Kelly Jr., a 36-year-old Maryland man, has been arrested and charged with felony and misdemeanor offenses related to the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol.

Kelly, of Middletown, Maryland, is accused of assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers using a deadly or dangerous weapon, as well as engaging in physical violence in a restricted building or grounds. He is also charged with five misdemeanor offenses, including entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or on restricted grounds, and act of physical violence in Capitol building or grounds.

According to court documents, Kelly was present on the restricted grounds of the U.S. Capitol for over three hours on Jan. 6, 2021, and allegedly assaulted and interfered with police officers while trespassing. Open-source video footage shows Kelly approaching the Capitol via the Maryland Avenue walkway, ignoring several “AREA CLOSED” signs and bike rack-style barricades surrounding the grounds.

Another publicly available video shows Kelly on the Capitol’s Lower West Plaza, where he shouted insults at police, discussed overrunning police lines, and appeared to cheer as another rioter deployed a chemical irritant at police. Kelly is later seen allegedly acting in concert with other rioters who used a giant metal-framed “TRUMP” sign as a battering ram against the police line.

Court documents say that Kelly maintained contact with the metal-edged sign for over thirty seconds, playing a significant role in driving the sign forward and into the police officers, assaulting and impeding them. As rioters rammed the giant sign into the police line, Kelly is accused of using his open hand to strike an officer that was underneath the sign through its fabric.

The FBI arrested Kelly today in Middletown, and he is expected to make his initial appearance in the District of Columbia. The charges against Kelly carry significant penalties, and he will face a judge to answer for his alleged crimes. The Jan. 6 US Capitol Breach investigation is ongoing, and Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and provide updates as more information becomes available.

The FBI is urging anyone with information about the Jan. 6 US Capitol Breach to come forward and share their knowledge. If you have any information, you can contact the FBI at [www.fbi.gov] or [tips.fbi.gov].