A California man, who tased a Metropolitan Police Officer (MPD) during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, pleaded guilty today to the assault and three other charges. His actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election.
Daniel Rodriguez, 40, of Fontana, California, pleaded guilty to conspiracy, obstruction of an official proceeding, obstruction of justice, and assaulting a law enforcement officer with a deadly or dangerous weapon. Rodriguez admitted to assaulting MPD Officer Michael Fanone with a taser during the breach of the U.S. Capitol. U.S. District Court Judge Amy Berman Jackson scheduled a sentencing hearing for May 16, 2023.
According to court documents, Rodriguez and others created a Telegram group chat, called the “Patriots 45 MAGA Gang,” in the Fall of 2020, and used it as a platform to advocate violence against certain groups and individuals that either supported the 2020 Presidential election results, supported what the group perceived as liberal or communist ideologies, or held positions of authority in government. The group’s activities included collecting weapons and tactical gear to bring to Washington, D.C. on January 6, storming past barricades to gain unlawful access to the Capitol, and coordinating activities before, during, and after the riot.
Rodriguez was arrested on March 31, 2021, by the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office.
This case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Counterterrorism Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California.
The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Los Angeles and Washington Field Offices, along with the Metropolitan Police Department and the U.S. Capitol Police.
Defendant’s Details:
Defendant: Daniel Rodriguez
Criminal Charges: conspiracy, obstruction of an official proceeding, obstruction of justice, and assaulting a law enforcement officer with a deadly or dangerous weapon
City and State: Washington D.C.
Date: January 6, 2021
Sentence: Sentencing hearing scheduled for May 16, 2023
Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.
Related Federal Cases
- Edward Badalian, Conspiracy to Breach the U.S. Capitol, District of Columbia 2021 · Washington
- Jacob Daniel Terrazas, Assault on Federal Officer, CA 2023 · New York
- Daniel Rodriguez, Capitol Taser Assault, California 2021 · District of Columbia
- Erik Scott Warner, Capitol Breach, California 2021 · District of Columbia
- Christina Kelso, Capitol Obstruction, California 2021 · District of Columbia
Key Facts
- State: Washington DC
- Category: Violent Crime|Public Corruption
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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