Retired Chicago Firefighter Admits Capitol Riot Role

WASHINGTON D.C. – A retired Chicago firefighter, Joseph Pavlik, has confessed to two felony charges stemming from the January 6th, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol. Pavlik, 63, admitted to charges of civil disorder and entering a restricted building with a dangerous weapon, bringing him one step closer to facing consequences for his role in the chaotic insurrection.

Federal prosecutors revealed Pavlik wasn’t just a random face in the crowd. He’s a member of the ‘B Squad,’ a subgroup of the Florida-based Guardians of Freedom – a militia-style organization with ties to the extremist Three Percenters movement. Pavlik also had a previous association with the Oath Keepers, a far-right anti-government group, from 2009 to 2015. This wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment decision; it was a planned operation.

Court records show Pavlik traveled to Washington D.C. on January 5th, 2021, alongside other B Squad members, ostensibly to attend the rally at the Ellipse. But their intentions went far beyond peaceful protest. The group’s primary mission, according to the feds, was to provide ‘security’ for the event – a thinly veiled excuse to position themselves for further action. The Ellipse rally served as a staging ground for the assault on the Capitol that followed.

Following the rally, Pavlik and his crew marched to the Lower West Terrace of the Capitol, joining hundreds of other rioters attempting to breach the “Tunnel” entrance. This wasn’t about expressing discontent; it was a full-on assault on law enforcement, a desperate attempt to force their way into sensitive areas of the building used by members of Congress. The Tunnel provided direct access, and the mob was determined to take it.

Pavlik wasn’t blending in. He was decked out in a black tactical vest, a black gas mask, and a black helmet adorned with patches. He also carried a chemical irritant spray – a weapon intended to incapacitate officers defending the Capitol. Witnesses and video footage confirm he actively engaged in the physical confrontation, contributing to the mob’s efforts to push back the police line. He even had the gall to hand a pair of goggles to an officer lacking eye protection, then *ignored* a direct order to leave the grounds.

Despite this brazen disregard for law enforcement, Pavlik’s actions didn’t go unnoticed. The feds tracked his movements, and video evidence clearly places him on restricted Capitol grounds, struggling with officers. The guilty plea, entered August 25th, 2023, is a small victory, but the fight for accountability continues. Pavlik is scheduled to be sentenced on December 1st, 2023, and could face a significant prison term. The feds are still hunting down others involved in the coordinated attack, and this case serves as a warning: those who stormed the Capitol will be held accountable.

The FBI continues to seek tips and information regarding the January 6th Capitol breach. Anyone with relevant information is urged to contact their local FBI field office or submit tips online. This investigation remains active, and the feds are committed to bringing all perpetrators to justice.