Ohio Man Guilty of Civil Disorder in Jan. 6 Capitol Breach

WASHINGTON – Adrian Schmidt, a 26-year-old man from Cincinnati, Ohio, has pleaded guilty to a felony charge of civil disorder stemming from his actions during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

According to court documents, Schmidt traveled from Cincinnati to Washington, D.C., to attend the former President’s rally on the National Mall. He then made his way to a line of barricades erected by U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) officers around the Capitol building near the Peace Circle Monument. Here, Schmidt was amongst a group of rioters pushing on the barricades, which eventually led to the breach of the outer perimeter of the Capitol.

After breaching the Peace Circle Monument barricades, Schmidt and the mob of rioters surged toward the Capitol, into the restricted area. Schmidt then stood on top of a small wall and yelled towards other rioters, “Our House!” and “Whose House?” He then made his way to the front of the mob that had gathered near a black metal fence on the West Plaza and jumped over the fencing as the mob surged forward toward a line of USCP officers.

Schmidt again moved to the front of the mob and confronted the line of USCP officers on the West Plaza. He used his cellphone to record a video where he chanted, “Whose House?” Schmidt then turned towards the USCP officers guarding the West Plaza and said, “We’re right here (pointing at the ground). Whose platform? Our platform!”

Court documents say that between 1:00 and 2:45 p.m., the mob on the West Plaza became more and more confrontational with the line of USCP officers. During this time, Schmidt again confronted the officers and, on several occasions, obstructed, impeded, and interfered with the USCP officers. Specifically, he pushed backward against police officers and their riot shields on the West Plaza.

Schmidt’s sentencing is set for September 10, 2024, before U.S. District Judge Ana C. Reyes. 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 arrested Schmidt on July 28, 2023, in Ohio.

The investigation into the Jan. 6 Capitol breach remains ongoing, with more than 1,424 individuals charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach. Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.