Paul Belosic, a California man, has been indicted for conspiracy and various offenses related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. The indictment, filed in federal court, accuses Belosic of conspiring with others to disrupt the joint session of the U.S. Congress and impede the certification of the Electoral College Vote. He faces felony charges, including obstruction of an official proceeding, tampering with documents or proceedings, and obstruction of law enforcement during civil disorder, as well as misdemeanor charges, such as theft and destruction of government property. Belosic remains at large, while his co-defendants have already faced sentencing or conviction. The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Justice Department’s National Security Division, with the assistance of the FBI and local law enforcement agencies. As the investigation continues, over 1,106 individuals have been arrested across the country for crimes related to the Capitol breach.

Table of Contents

Indictment and Charges

Background of the indictment

The indictment relates to the actions of a California man during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. The breach occurred during a joint session of the U.S. Congress that was convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the presidential election. The actions of the defendant and others disrupted the proceedings and caused significant damage and disturbance.

Charges against the California man

The defendant, Paul Belosic, has been charged with several felony offenses, including conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States, obstruction of an official proceeding and aiding and abetting, tampering with documents or proceedings, and obstruction of law enforcement during civil disorder. Additionally, Belosic is charged with several misdemeanor offenses, including theft of government property, destruction of government property, and entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds.

Conspiracy to Commit an Offense Against the United States

Details of the conspiracy charge

The conspiracy charge alleges that Belosic and his co-defendants conspired to stop, delay, and hinder Congress’s certification of the Electoral College Vote on January 6, 2021. The indictment further states that the defendants aimed to prevent evidence from being used in the investigation of their activities. The charge of conspiracy is a serious offense that carries significant penalties under federal law.

Involvement of the defendant

According to court documents, Belosic traveled from California to Washington, D.C. in the days leading up to January 6, 2021. He is alleged to have joined other rioters in the tunnel on the Lower West Terrace of the Capitol and attempted to gain access to the building. Ultimately, Belosic and his co-defendants entered the Capitol through a broken window on the Lower West Terrace, where he is accused of damaging and stealing government property.

Obstruction of an Official Proceeding

Definition of obstruction of an official proceeding

Obstruction of an official proceeding refers to any act that hinders, delays, or obstructs the proceedings of a governmental body. In this case, the proceedings being obstructed were the joint session of the U.S. Congress to certify the Electoral College Vote. Obstruction of an official proceeding is a serious offense that undermines the integrity of the democratic process and the functioning of the government.

How the defendant obstructed the proceeding

The indictment alleges that Belosic and his co-defendants actively participated in the obstruction of the official proceeding by engaging in the breach of the U.S. Capitol. Their actions disrupted the session and caused chaos and confusion among members of Congress and law enforcement. By entering the Capitol and engaging in destructive behavior, the defendant obstructed the orderly conduct of the proceedings and impeded the certification of the Electoral College Vote.

Aiding and Abetting

Explanation of aiding and abetting charge

Aiding and abetting refers to providing assistance or support to someone who is committing a criminal act. Under federal law, individuals who aid and abet the commission of a crime can be held equally responsible for that crime. In this case, Belosic is charged with aiding and abetting the offenses related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol and the obstruction of the official proceeding.

Defendant’s role in aiding and abetting

The indictment alleges that Belosic actively participated in the breach of the U.S. Capitol alongside his co-defendants. By joining the rioters in their attempt to gain access to the building and engaging in destructive behavior, Belosic is accused of providing assistance and support to the commission of the offenses. His actions contributed to the disruption of the official proceeding and the obstruction of justice.

Tampering with Documents or Proceedings

Nature of the tampering charge

Tampering with documents or proceedings refers to the intentional interference with the integrity or availability of documents or the proceedings of a governmental body. This offense undermines the functioning of the government and can hinder the investigation and prosecution of criminal activities. Tampering with documents or proceedings is a serious offense that carries significant penalties under federal law.

Evidence of tampering by the defendant

The indictment alleges that Belosic and his co-defendants conspired to prevent evidence from being used in the investigation of their activities. By engaging in the breach of the U.S. Capitol and damaging government property, the defendants sought to impede the collection of evidence and hinder the pursuit of justice. Their actions constitute tampering with documents or proceedings and will be considered in the prosecution of the case.

Obstruction of Law Enforcement During Civil Disorder

Definition of obstruction of law enforcement during civil disorder

Obstruction of law enforcement during civil disorder refers to any act that hinders, delays, or obstructs the efforts of law enforcement officers to maintain order and enforce the law during a period of civil unrest. This offense undermines the rule of law and poses a threat to public safety. Obstruction of law enforcement during civil disorder is a serious offense that carries significant penalties under federal law.

Actions taken by the defendant to obstruct law enforcement

The indictment alleges that Belosic actively engaged in obstructing law enforcement during the civil disorder that occurred during the breach of the U.S. Capitol. By participating in the riot and engaging in destructive behavior, Belosic hindered the efforts of law enforcement officers to maintain order and enforce the law. His actions contributed to the chaos and disruption of the proceedings and posed a threat to the safety of the individuals present.

Misdemeanor Offenses

Overview of the misdemeanor charges

In addition to the felony charges, Belosic is also charged with several misdemeanor offenses related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol. These charges include theft of government property, destruction of government property, and entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds. Misdemeanor offenses carry lesser penalties than felonies but are still subject to prosecution under federal law.

Theft of government property

Belosic is charged with theft of government property for allegedly stealing or damaging items belonging to the government during the breach of the U.S. Capitol. This offense involves the unauthorized taking or destruction of property owned by the government and is subject to the penalties prescribed under federal law.

Destruction of government property

The charge of destruction of government property relates to the alleged damage caused by Belosic during the breach of the U.S. Capitol. This offense involves the intentional destruction or damage of property owned by the government and is subject to the penalties prescribed under federal law. The destruction of government property undermines the functioning of the government and poses a threat to public resources.

Entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds

Belosic is also charged with entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds without lawful authority. This offense refers to the unauthorized entry and continued presence in a building or grounds that is restricted or prohibited. The U.S. Capitol is considered a restricted building, and unauthorized entry into it constitutes a violation of federal law.

Co-Defendants and Superseding Indictment

Introduction to co-defendants

Belosic is charged alongside two co-defendants, Daniel Joseph “DJ” Rodriguez and Edward Badalian. The three defendants were named in a superseding indictment filed in November 2021, and Belosic’s name was unsealed in the indictment recently. Belosic’s co-defendants have already faced legal proceedings, with Rodriguez being sentenced to 151 months in prison and Badalian awaiting sentencing.

Role of co-defendants in the breach

The indictment alleges that Belosic and his co-defendants conspired and acted together to stop, delay, and hinder Congress’s certification of the Electoral College Vote. The co-defendants are accused of joining other rioters in attempting to gain access to the U.S. Capitol and engaging in destructive behavior. Their actions, along with Belosic’s, contributed to the disruption of the proceedings and the damage caused to the building.

Details of the superseding indictment

The superseding indictment filed in November 2021 charged Belosic, Rodriguez, and Badalian with various felony and misdemeanor offenses relating to the breach of the U.S. Capitol. The indictment detailed the specific actions taken by the defendants, including their entry into the Capitol, destruction of government property, theft of government property, and obstruction of law enforcement. The superseding indictment provides the legal basis for the prosecution of the case against Belosic and his co-defendants.

Investigation and Prosecution

Entities involved in the investigation

The investigation into the breach of the U.S. Capitol involved multiple entities, including the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, the Justice Department’s National Security Division, and the FBI’s Los Angeles and Washington Field Offices. These entities worked collaboratively to gather evidence, identify individuals involved, and bring forth charges against the responsible parties.

Role of U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia is tasked with prosecuting federal crimes committed within the district, including offenses related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol. In this case, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has taken the lead in prosecuting Belosic and his co-defendants, ensuring that justice is served and the rule of law is upheld.

Assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California provided valuable assistance in the investigation and prosecution of Belosic and his co-defendants. Collaboration between different U.S. Attorney’s Offices is crucial in cases that involve multiple jurisdictions, as it allows for the efficient exchange of information and resources.

Involvement of the FBI’s Los Angeles and Washington Field Offices

The FBI’s Los Angeles and Washington Field Offices played a significant role in the investigation into the breach of the U.S. Capitol. These field offices were responsible for identifying Belosic as a person of interest and seeking information about his identity. Their efforts, alongside other law enforcement agencies, ultimately led to the unsealing of Belosic’s name in the indictment.

Collaboration with Metropolitan Police Department and U.S. Capitol Police

The Metropolitan Police Department and the U.S. Capitol Police provided valuable assistance in the investigation and response to the breach of the U.S. Capitol. These law enforcement agencies worked tirelessly to ensure the safety of individuals present during the breach and to gather evidence for the subsequent investigation and prosecution. Collaboration among law enforcement agencies is essential in cases of this nature to ensure a comprehensive and effective response.

Nationwide Arrests and Charges

Statistics on individuals arrested for Capitol breach

In the 31 months since the breach of the U.S. Capitol, over 1,106 individuals have been arrested across nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the incident. These arrests reflect the extensive efforts made by law enforcement agencies to identify and apprehend individuals involved in the breach.

Number of individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement

Of the individuals arrested for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, more than 350 have been charged specifically with assaulting or impeding law enforcement. These charges reflect the seriousness of the offenses committed and the importance of holding individuals accountable for their actions.

In conclusion, the indictment and charges against the California man, Paul Belosic, highlight the severity of the offenses committed during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. Belosic is charged with felony offenses related to conspiracy, obstruction of an official proceeding, tampering with documents or proceedings, and obstruction of law enforcement during civil disorder. He also faces several misdemeanor charges, including theft of government property, destruction of government property, and entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds. The investigation and prosecution of this case involved multiple entities, including the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, the Justice Department’s National Security Division, the FBI’s Los Angeles and Washington Field Offices, and collaboration with the Metropolitan Police Department and U.S. Capitol Police. These efforts have resulted in the arrest and charging of over 1,106 individuals across the country, with more than 350 individuals specifically charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement. The thorough investigation and prosecution of these cases are crucial in upholding the rule of law and ensuring that those responsible for the breach of the U.S. Capitol are held accountable for their actions.

By Jesse Hull

I'm Jesse Hull, a retired Infantry Paratrooper and Outdoor Studies Major at Alaska Pacific University - and I am the mind behind Grimy Times - your portal to the darkest, grittiest news stories spanning the globe. With a tagline like "Grimiest News From Around The World!" you can expect no less. I bring you the most unearthed stories, guaranteeing authenticity without sugarcoating. From shadowy urban alleys to the most remote corners of our planet, my coverage knows no bounds.