WAYNESVILLE, OH – Dean Robert Harshman, 36, is facing federal charges for his role in the January 6th, 2021, assault on the U.S. Capitol. Harshman, of Waynesville, Ohio, allegedly joined the mob that stormed the building, disrupting the certification of the 2020 presidential election. He’s been slapped with felony counts of obstructing an official proceeding, plus a slew of misdemeanor offenses.
According to court filings, Harshman traveled to Washington, D.C., to attend the “Stop the Steal” rally, a hotbed of election conspiracy theories. He didn’t just attend – he actively participated. Harshman documented his actions on his cell phone, broadcasting his involvement to… well, someone. Footage shows him shouting slogans as the crowd surged towards the Capitol, clearly intent on disrupting the proceedings.
The feds say Harshman wasn’t just a bystander. Witnesses and video evidence place him near security barriers at the Peace Circle and Pennsylvania Walkway, egging on the crowd to push past law enforcement. He then allegedly forced his way into the Capitol through a broken door in the Senate Wing, making his way to the Crypt – the building’s central, symbolic space. Inside, Harshman filmed himself inside an office, the contents of which remain under investigation.
Harshman spent roughly 15 minutes inside the Capitol before exiting around 2:35 p.m. He was later identified through the video he himself recorded. The arrest isn’t an isolated incident. Federal prosecutors are relentlessly pursuing those involved in the riot, piecing together the events of that day through mountains of evidence – including social media posts, witness testimony, and, ironically, the rioters’ own recordings.
This case is being handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, with the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section providing support. The FBI’s Cincinnati and Washington Field Offices, the U.S. Capitol Police, and the Metropolitan Police Department all contributed to the investigation. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio assisted with Harshman’s initial arrest.
As of this report, over 1,069 individuals have been arrested in nearly all 50 states in connection with the Capitol breach. The investigation is ongoing, and federal prosecutors have vowed to hold all those responsible accountable. Anyone with information related to the January 6th riot is urged to contact the FBI or local law enforcement. Harshman’s initial appearance was in the Southern District of Ohio, and his future legal battles are just beginning.
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