In a recent conviction, a Georgia man, Jake Maxwell, was found guilty of felony civil disorder and other charges relating to the January 6th Capitol breach. Maxwell’s actions, along with other rioters, disrupted a joint session of Congress that was convened to count the electoral votes for the 2020 presidential election. According to evidence presented in court, Maxwell traveled from Georgia to Washington, D.C., to attend the “Stop the Steal” rally and later breached the Capitol building and grounds. He obstructed and interfered with police officers, participated in violent acts, and remained on the Capitol grounds for approximately three hours. Sentencing for Maxwell is scheduled for February 22nd, 2024. This conviction is part of the ongoing investigation into the Capitol breach, which has led to charges against over 1,200 individuals across the United States.
Georgia Man Convicted of Felony Civil Disorder and Other Charges Related to Jan. 6 Capitol Breach
Curious about your city’s darkest crime stories? Dive in here!
Summary
A Georgia man, Jake Maxwell, has been convicted of felony civil disorder and other charges related to the Jan. 6 Capitol breach. Maxwell’s actions, along with others, disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress that was convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes for the 2020 presidential election. Maxwell’s conviction comes after a bench trial before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Leon. He will be sentenced on Feb. 22, 2024.
Background Information
On Jan. 6, 2021, a joint session of the U.S. Congress was held to certify the electoral votes for the 2020 presidential election. This session was interrupted by a violent breach of the U.S. Capitol by a large group of individuals. The breach resulted in extensive damage to the Capitol building and multiple injuries.
Charges and Verdict
Jake Maxwell has been convicted of felony civil disorder, as well as two misdemeanor offenses of entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds and disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds. These charges are related to his unlawful activities during the Capitol breach. Maxwell was found guilty after a bench trial before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Leon.
Sentencing
Maxwell will be sentenced on Feb. 22, 2024, by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Leon. The sentencing will determine the consequences and penalties Maxwell will face for his involvement in the Capitol breach.
Description of the Incident
According to the government’s evidence, Jake Maxwell traveled from his home in Georgia to Washington, D.C., to attend the “Stop the Steal” rally near the Ellipse. After the rally, Maxwell made his way to the U.S. Capitol building and grounds. He arrived at the West Plaza, where police had established a line to restrict access. However, a group of rioters, including Maxwell, broke through the police lines and moved closer to the Capitol.
During the breach, Maxwell obstructed, impeded, and interfered with police officers. He banged on and pushed a United States Capitol Police officer’s riot shield and grabbed a Metropolitan Police Department officer’s baton. Maxwell then proceeded to scaffolding erected for the upcoming Inauguration, where he was among the first rioters to breach the Inaugural Stage. He cheered to the crowd of rioters from atop the balcony.
Afterward, Maxwell made his way to the Lower West Terrace Tunnel, the site of some of the more violent attacks against police on Jan. 6. He then returned to the Upper West Terrace and positioned himself at a railing, where he cheered, raised flags, laughed, and interacted with other rioters for over an hour. Maxwell witnessed the violence occurring at the Tunnel below while he was at this vantage point.
By 4:59 p.m., Maxwell had returned to the Tunnel’s exterior and watched as rioters made increasingly violent efforts to break through the line of officers protecting the area. He remained on the Capitol grounds for approximately three hours that day.
Arrest and Investigation
Jake Maxwell was arrested on Feb. 9, 2022, in Georgia by the FBI. The arrest was made following an investigation into his involvement in the Jan. 6 Capitol breach. The FBI’s Atlanta and Washington Field Offices, along with assistance from the Metropolitan Police Department and U.S. Capitol Police, conducted the investigation leading to his arrest.
Prosecution of the Case
The case against Jake Maxwell is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia also provided valuable assistance in the prosecution. The prosecution aims to hold Maxwell accountable for his actions during the Capitol breach.
Number of Individuals Charged in Capitol Breach Cases
Since the Jan. 6 Capitol breach, over 1,200 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol. This includes more than 400 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, a felony. The investigation into the Capitol breach remains ongoing.
Delve deep into your city’s gritty crime tales; click now!
Contact Information for Tips
Anyone with tips or information related to the Jan. 6 Capitol breach can contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324). Tips can also be submitted online at tips.fbi.gov.
Related Press Releases
For more information on other related cases and press releases, please visit the U.S. Department of Justice website.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Please consult with a legal professional for specific guidance on your situation.
Eager to uncover your city’s sinister side? Explore the latest crime news here!