Washington D.C. – A Georgia man and his two adult sons were arrested today on charges related to their actions during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
William Gallagher, 55, of Ellijay, Georgia, is charged in a criminal complaint filed in the District of Columbia with a felony offense of civil disorder. In addition to the felony, William Gallagher is charged with misdemeanor offenses of knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly conduct in a Capitol building or grounds, and parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building.
The FBI arrested William Gallagher today in Georgia, and he is expected to make his initial appearance in the Northern District of Georgia.
The FBI also arrested William Gallagher’s two adult sons, James Gallagher, 22, and Thomas Gallagher, 25, both of Ellijay, Georgia, on misdemeanor charges related to their conduct at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
According to court documents, on Jan. 6, 2021, closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage of the U.S. Capitol building depicts William Gallagher entering the building and entering the Rotunda at approximately 2:26 p.m., shortly after the Rotunda doors had been breached. Inside the building, William made his way to Statuary Hall and back to the Rotunda before placing calls to his two sons, Thomas and James.
It is alleged that William then returned to the lobby area near the Rotunda doors at 2:36 p.m. By this time, the Rotunda Doors had been re-secured by U.S. Capitol Police, and James and Thomas Gallagher remained outside the building. At about 2:38 p.m., rioters began pushing the Rotunda Doors to open them from the inside. Despite U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) officers guarding the doors, William Gallagher participated in that effort for approximately 90 seconds.
William then returned to the Rotunda, and at about 2:45 p.m., James and Thomas Gallagher entered the building via the Rotunda doors and met up with their father, William, in the Rotunda. The three men then made their way toward the Senate Chamber, and about ten minutes later, the trio returned to the Rotunda.
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Key Facts
- State: Washington DC
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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