In an arrest that highlights the ongoing legal consequences of the January 6th Capitol breach, a 70-year-old Louisiana man has been charged with assaulting law enforcement during the infamous event. Ronald Alfred Bryan faces felony and misdemeanor charges for various offenses, including civil disorder and assault on a federal officer. The criminal complaint alleges that Bryan was identified through open-source video footage, which shows him actively engaging with United States Capitol Police officers on the Northwest Steps of the Capitol building. Bryan is seen using a wooden pallet as protection and then forcibly taking a riot shield from an officer, in an attempt to breach the police line. His actions, along with those of other rioters, disrupted a joint session of Congress as they were counting the electoral votes related to the presidential election. The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice’s National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.

Louisiana Man Arrested for Assaulting Law Enforcement During Jan. 6 Capitol Breach

Arrest and Charges

A Louisiana man has been arrested on felony and misdemeanor charges, including assaulting law enforcement, in connection with his participation in the breach of the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. The breach disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress that had been convened to certify and count the electoral votes for the presidential election. Ronald Alfred Bryan, age 70, from Pollock, Louisiana, has been charged with felony offenses of civil disorder and assault on a federal officer, as well as five misdemeanor offenses. These charges include unlawfully entering or remaining in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly conduct, physical violence, theft of government property, and physical violence on Capitol grounds. Bryan was taken into custody on August 16, 2023, in Pollock and had his initial appearance in the Western District of Louisiana.

Identification of Ronald Alfred Bryan

Law enforcement authorities were able to identify Ronald Alfred Bryan through open-source videos. These videos showed him among the crowd of rioters gathered at the Capitol’s Northwest Steps on January 6, 2021. In the footage, Bryan can be seen using a wooden pallet as protection while ascending the steps and moving towards a group of United States Capitol Police (USCP) officers who were defending a landing. Moments later, Bryan was observed putting the pallet down near another rioter’s feet and forcefully taking a USCP officer’s riot shield. He then charged forward towards the officers, using the shield offensively in an attempt to breach the police line. Another rioter picked up the wooden pallet and used it to assault the officers. Bryan continued his assault by climbing through the temporary scaffolding situated slightly south of the landing and physically attacking USCP officers.

Assault on Capitol Police

Ronald Alfred Bryan’s assault on Capitol Police officers involved the use of a wooden pallet for protection and the forceful taking of a riot shield. The open-source videos clearly capture the moment when Bryan uses the wooden pallet as a shield while ascending the Capitol’s Northwest Steps. He then proceeds to forcibly take a USCP officer’s riot shield and charges toward the officers, using the shield offensively. Another rioter simultaneously uses the wooden pallet to assault the officers. Bryan later climbed through the temporary scaffolding, located slightly south of the landing, where he physically assaulted additional USCP officers.

Bryan’s Bragging About Assaults

Videos recorded on January 6, 2021, revealed Bryan bragging about the theft of the police shield and his assaults on USCP officers. At the Peace Circle, Bryan openly admitted to his theft of the baton and shield while describing how he knocked multiple officers to the ground and required six officers to subdue him. Moreover, Bryan encouraged others to assault officers, urging them to “go get you some.”

Prosecution and Investigation

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia is leading the prosecution in this case, with the involvement of the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana provided valuable assistance. The FBI’s New Orleans and Washington Field Offices are conducting the investigation. Bryan had been identified as BOLO (Be on the Lookout) number 418 through the seeking information photos released by the FBI. The U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department also contributed to the investigation.

Number of Arrests Related to Capitol Breach

Since January 6, 2021, more than 1,106 individuals have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for offenses related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol. Among those arrested, more than 350 individuals have been charged specifically with assaulting or impeding law enforcement officers.

Tips for Reporting Information

Members of the public can provide tips and information to assist in the investigation by contacting the FBI’s tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visiting tips.fbi.gov.

Presumption of Innocence

It is important to note that a criminal complaint is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. Ronald Alfred Bryan, along with any other individuals charged in connection with the January 6 Capitol breach, will have the opportunity to present their defense and be afforded due process in accordance with the law.