A man from Maine was taken into custody for his alleged role in the chaos that broke out at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. Christopher Belliveau, 38, of Sanford, Maine, faces a litany of charges including assaulting law enforcement with a weapon during the Capitol breach, a spectacle that interrupted a Congressional session tasked with affirming the 2020 presidential election results. This arrest adds to the more than 1,450 individuals that have been charged in connection to the Capitol siege, as the U.S. Department of Justice reports.
Belliveau's indictment includes five felony charges, involving civil disorder, assaulting officers with a dangerous weapon, and engaging in violence in restricted government spaces. His alleged crimes don't stop at the felony level, as he's also dealing with misdemeanor charges for his actions in and around the Capitol building. The FBI's Boston and Washington Field Offices, alongside assistance from U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department, spearheaded the investigation leading to his arrest. Belliveau wielded a bullhorn and green canister, believed to be bear mace, as he engaged with and ultimately attacked law enforcement during the breach.
The incident involving Belliveau began on the Capitol grounds' Northwest Lawn, where he reportedly crossed barriers and led a group to confront police lines. The DOJ's narrative of the event details Belliveau pointing at an officer and then appearing to spray the bear mace before retreating. The officer's pursuit ended shortly after being swarmed by other rioters. Video evidence placed Belliveau inside the Capitol, where disruptions continued, later followed by his exit from the area known as the Crypt.
Belliveau's initial court appearance is slated in the District of Maine following his arrest in North Berwick, Maine. Over 41 months since the Capitol attack, law enforcement agencies have been relentless in pursuing suspects involved in the many facets of the insurrection. The FBI continues its call for information related to the riot, urging the public to reach out with tips by contacting 1-800-CALL-FBI or visiting their online tip center. Though charges have been laid, it is critical to remember, as stated by the U.S. Department of Justice, that "A complaint is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law."
