Florida Man Richard Cook’s Capitol Breach Conviction Sparks Outrage

WASHINGTON – A Florida man was convicted on May 10, 2024, of felony and misdemeanor charges related to his conduct during the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol.

A federal jury in the District of Columbia found Richard Cook, 38, of Boca Raton, Florida, guilty of civil disorder, a felony, and five misdemeanor offenses, including entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, engaging in physical violence in a restricted building or grounds, impeding passage through the Capitol grounds or buildings, and act of physical violence in the Capitol grounds or buildings.

U.S. District Judge Reggie B. Walton will sentence Cook on Aug. 28, 2024.

According to evidence presented during the trial, on Jan. 6, 2021, Cook joined a mob that relentlessly attacked police officers in one of the most violent areas of the Capitol riot – the Lower West Terrace Tunnel. Court documents say that Cook entered the Tunnel on two occasions to join a collective push against police officers as the rioters tried to gain access to the Capitol building.

Cook was pushed out of the Tunnel but remained nearby on the Lower West Terrace, watching the continued attack. As the number of rioters in the Tunnel began to dwindle, Cook rushed back into the Tunnel. This time, Cook made it nearly to the front of the police line. He joined rioters screaming “HEAVE HO!” and pushed aggressively into the police line.

Despite the prolonged pushing by Cook and the rest of the mob, officers were able to temporarily gain control of the Tunnel and push rioters, Cook included, out. Cook remained near the Tunnel, watching as rioters engaged in violent acts against police officers guarding the Tunnel entrance, including when rioters dragged a Metropolitan Police Department officer out of the Tunnel and brutally injured the officer.

The FBI arrested Cook on March 9, 2023, in Florida. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section are prosecuting this case. The FBI’s Miami Field Office – West Palm Beach Resident Agency and Washington Field Offices investigated this case.

With over 1,424 individuals charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, the investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.

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