Proud Boy Scott Admits to Leading Jan. 6 Capitol Breach

WASHINGTON D.C. – A Florida man directly contributed to the chaos of January 6th, 2021, and now faces serious consequences. Daniel Lyons Scott, 29, of Bradenton, Florida, admitted in federal court today to leading a charge that overwhelmed Capitol Police and initiated the first breach of the U.S. Capitol building that day. His actions disrupted the joint session of Congress convened to certify the 2020 presidential election.

Scott, identified as a member of the Proud Boys, pleaded guilty to obstruction of an official proceeding and aiding and abetting, as well as assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers. Court documents and publicly available footage paint a damning picture. Scott, clad in a black ballistic vest and ski goggles, was at the forefront of a volatile crowd confronting U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) officers guarding a staircase on the lower west terrace. The video clearly shows Scott physically pushing two USCP officers backwards, up the steps.

This wasn’t just a shove. According to the DOJ, Scott was among the *first*, if not *the* first, to make physical contact with law enforcement at that location. The impact was immediate. Following Scott’s assault, the crowd surged forward, exploiting the gap he created in the police line and successfully breaching the Capitol. This initial breach set the stage for the hours of mayhem that followed, turning the Capitol into a battleground.

The charges Scott faces are no joke. Obstruction of an official proceeding and aiding and abetting carries a potential sentence of up to 20 years behind bars. Assaulting, resisting, or impeding officers adds another possible eight years. Beyond prison time, Scott could also be hit with significant financial penalties. The final sentence will be determined by U.S. District Court Judge Royce C. Lamberth on May 23, 2023, after consideration of sentencing guidelines and other factors.

The prosecution is being handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section, with assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida. The investigation itself was a joint effort between the FBI’s Washington and Tampa Field Offices, along with the Metropolitan Police Department.

Scott’s guilty plea is just one piece of a much larger investigation. In the 25 months since the January 6th attack, over 985 individuals have been arrested across nearly all 50 states for crimes connected to the Capitol breach. Approximately 319 of those arrested are accused of directly assaulting or impeding law enforcement. The FBI continues to seek tips, urging anyone with information to call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov. This case serves as a stark reminder that those who participated in the attack on the Capitol will be held accountable.