In a recent development, two men from Florida and Illinois have been charged with assault and obstruction of law enforcement during the Jan 6. Capitol breach. The individuals in question, William Bierbrodt of St. Cloud, Florida, and Joseph Bierbrodt of Sheridan, Illinois, were arrested on felony and misdemeanor charges related to their actions during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Their actions disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the presidential election. The charges include offenses such as obstruction of law enforcement during civil disorder, assault on a federal officer, and various other misdemeanor offenses. This ongoing investigation is being conducted by the FBI and is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.
Charges filed against two men from Florida and Illinois
Two men from Florida and Illinois have been charged with assault and obstruction of law enforcement during the January 6, 2021 Capitol breach. Their actions disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress that was convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the presidential election. William Bierbrodt, 55, from St. Cloud, Florida, and Joseph Bierbrodt, 54, from Sheridan, Illinois, were arrested and charged in a complaint filed in the District of Columbia. These charges include entering and remaining in a restricted building, disorderly conduct, physical violence, and obstruction of law enforcement during civil disorder.
Details of the charges
William Bierbrodt is facing a felony offense of obstruction of law enforcement during civil disorder. He is also charged with misdemeanor offenses including entering and remaining in a restricted building, disorderly conduct, and physical violence in a restricted building or grounds. Additionally, he is charged with parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building, disorderly conduct in a Capitol building or grounds, and willfully injuring or damaging any property of the United States.
Joseph Bierbrodt, on the other hand, is charged with a felony offense of obstruction of law enforcement during civil disorder and a second felony offense of assault on a federal officer or on a person assisting a federal officer. He is also charged with misdemeanor offenses including entering and remaining in a restricted building, disorderly conduct, physical violence in a restricted building or grounds, parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building, and physical violence in a Capitol building or grounds.
Arrest and initial appearances
William Bierbrodt was arrested in St. Cloud, Florida, while Joseph Bierbrodt was arrested in Sheridan, Illinois. Both individuals made their initial appearances in their respective districts. The arrests took place on July 26, 2023. The charges were filed in the District of Columbia, where the breach of the U.S. Capitol occurred.
Events on January 6, 2021
According to court documents, on January 6, 2021, at approximately 2:41 p.m., CCTV footage and open-source videos captured William Bierbrodt using his cane to break a window on the Senate Wing fire door and unlatch the locked door, allowing other rioters to enter. Joseph Bierbrodt stood by with his back to the door while William repeatedly hit the window with his cane. After gaining access to the Senate Wing, the Bierbrodts and other rioters encountered law enforcement officers attempting to push back the rioters and close the door.
Assault on a U.S. Capitol Police officer
Court documents reveal that after breaching the door, Joseph Bierbrodt assaulted a U.S. Capitol Police officer by slamming the officer against a wall. The brothers and other rioters then moved further into the Senate Wing and were met again by a line of police officers. In an attempt to prevent the rioters from advancing, the officers deployed OC spray.
Line of police officers deployed against rioters
The line of police officers encountered by the Bierbrodts and other rioters inside the Senate Wing was a significant obstacle to their progress. The officers used OC spray to deter the rioters from advancing further. This measure was taken in order to protect the safety of individuals present and to restore order within the Capitol building.
Exit from the Senate Wing
According to court documents, Joseph Bierbrodt turned around and exited the building at approximately 2:44 p.m. Later, at around 3:02 p.m., he was photographed assisting his brother, William, with his exit from the Senate Wing. The details of their exit were captured by cameras and serve as evidence of their presence and actions within the Capitol building on January 6, 2021.
Prosecution and investigation
The case against William and Joseph Bierbrodt is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section. Assistance in the investigation and prosecution has been provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida and the Northern District of Illinois. The FBI’s Washington, Tampa, and Chicago Field Offices are handling the investigation, with valuable assistance from the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.
Number of arrests related to the Capitol breach
In the 30 months since January 6, 2021, over 1,069 individuals have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol. Among those arrested, more than 350 individuals have been charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement. The investigation into the events of that day is ongoing, and additional arrests and charges may be made as new evidence emerges.
Disclaimer about allegations and presumption of innocence
It is important to note that a complaint is merely an allegation, and all defendants, including William and Joseph Bierbrodt, are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The charges brought against them are serious, and the legal process will determine their guilt or innocence. The case against the Bierbrodts highlights the commitment of law enforcement agencies and the justice system to hold individuals accountable for their actions during the Capitol breach.