WASHINGTON – In a shocking verdict, Therese Borgerding, a 61-year-old Ohio woman, has been found guilty of felony and misdemeanor charges related to her involvement in the January 6, 2021, breach of the US Capitol.
Borgerding, who traveled with her husband and codefendant Walter Messer from Ohio to Washington D.C. on the day of the breach, was convicted of civil disorder, entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly conduct in a Capitol building, and parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building.
According to evidence presented during the trial, Borgerding and her husband arrived at the East Plaza of the Capitol building at 7:00 a.m. on January 6, 2021, carrying a long pole with a circular sign bearing a big red “Q” and a small American flag. After remaining outside the restricted perimeter for several hours, Borgerding and her husband pushed their way through the barricades and entered the Capitol building.
At approximately 2:41 p.m., police officers inside the Rotunda Doors attempted to shut the doors, but were confronted by rioters who forced their way back into the building. Borgerding was in the immediate vicinity of this confrontation and eventually pushed her way through the doors and walked into the Rotunda, where she remained for approximately two minutes.
Borgerding’s actions were part of a larger group of rioters who disrupted a joint session of the US Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election. The FBI arrested Borgerding on August 6, 2021, in Dayton, Ohio.
Codefendant Walter Messer was previously sentenced to 24 months of probation for his role in the events of January 6. 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, with assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio and the FBI’s Cincinnati and Washington Field Office.
The investigation into the January 6 breach remains ongoing, with over 1,385 individuals charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach. Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI or visit tips.fbi.gov.
Related Federal Cases
- Ohio Woman Convicted in Jan. 6 Capitol Breach Chaos · Washington
- Ohio Man Pleads Guilty to Jan. 6 Capitol Breach Mayhem · Washington
- Ohio Man Guilty of Civil Disorder in Jan. 6 Capitol Breach · Washington
- Capitol Rioter Nabbed: Ohio Man Faces Felony Charges · Kentucky
- Ohio Man Faces Charges in Capitol Riot · Washington
Key Facts
- State: Washington DC
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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