Chicago Man Joseph Pavlik, 65, Arrested for Capitol Riot Assault

Joseph Pavlik, 65, of Chicago, Illinois, is behind bars, facing federal felony charges for storming the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, and physically assaulting law enforcement officers during the violent breach. Pavlik, allegedly part of a militant network known as the ‘B Squad,’ is accused of joining a mob that forced its way into the Lower West Terrace Tunnel, directly confronting Capitol Police and pushing through barricades meant to protect Congress.

Pavlik was arrested on January 31, 2023, and charged with obstruction of law enforcement during a civil disorder—a felony—as well as misdemeanor counts of entering restricted grounds and disorderly conduct in a restricted building. He made his initial court appearance in the Northern District of Illinois. Prosecutors allege Pavlik was armed with a chemical irritant spray and wore full tactical gear, including a black gas mask, helmet with extremist patches, and a tactical vest, indicating preparation for confrontation.

Court documents tie Pavlik to the ‘B Squad,’ a subgroup of the Florida-based militia organization ‘Guardians of Freedom,’ which subscribes to the anti-government ‘Three Percenter’ ideology. He traveled to Washington, D.C., on January 5, 2021, and stayed at a hotel with other members of the group. The following day, they converged on the Capitol grounds, joining thousands in an insurrectionist push to halt the certification of the 2020 presidential election.

On the Lower West Terrace, Pavlik and his co-conspirators targeted a critical access tunnel used by members of Congress—already a high-security zone. Video and eyewitness evidence show Pavlik advancing with the mob, refusing dispersal orders, and engaging in physical altercations with officers. The tunnel breach allowed rioters to press deeper into secure areas, forcing police to retreat under sustained assault.

The FBI moved against the ‘B Squad’ in waves. Five other members were arrested on August 24, 2022, in connection with the same attack. This case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice’s National Security Division, with assistance from the Northern District of Illinois. The FBI’s Washington and Chicago field offices led the investigation, aided by the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.

To date, over 950 individuals have been arrested nationwide in connection with the Capitol attack, including more than 284 charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement. The investigation remains active. Anyone with information is urged to call 1-800-CALL-FBI 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.