A Michigan man faces charges following his alleged involvement in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, authorities reported. Jason Howland, 47, hailing from Clinton Township, was hit with both felony and misdemeanor charges, including obstruction of an official proceeding. CBS Detroit details his arrest by FBI agents.
The indictment accuses Howland of disruptive actions during the counting of the electoral votes from the 2020 presidential election, thus impeding a joint session of Congress. Arrested on Wednesday, he waved his arm and yelled "Let's go!", as noted in court documents, leading the crowd behind to surge past a police barricade and assault officers. Found on open-source videos and CCTV, Howland's movements within the Capitol were meticulously documented, even as he roamed between important rooms like the Crypt and Rotunda while clutching a sign.
Charges against Howland encompass unlawful entry into the Capitol, disruptive conduct, and engaging in protest inside the revered halls of the Congress. Following his apprehension, Howland was slated for his initial court appearance in the Eastern District of Michigan, the Department of Justice stated.
Not his first brush with activism, Howland co-founded the American Patriot Council with Ryan Kelley, a former GOP gubernatorial candidate, as reported by MLive. Kelley, set for release from prison the following day after Howland's arrest, has been connected to similar ideological movements. The case against Howland joins the extensive list of over 1,265 individuals facing charges related to the Capitol breach, with the investigations into these events continuing to unfold.
This case marks yet another chapter in the extensive investigations following the Jan. 6 events. Since the riot, law enforcement has doggedly pursued leads across the nation, resulting in hundreds facing serious legal repercussions for their actions that day. The U.S. Capitol Police and other agencies have worked jointly in this extensive effort to ensure all participants are held accountable.
