An Arkansas man, David Camden, 45, has admitted to his role in the violence seen during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. In a plea before U.S. District Judge Tanya S. Chutkan, Camden, conceded to a felony charge for assaulting law enforcement as the mayhem unfolded on that winter day, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office statement.
Court documents show Camden had traveled to Washington, D.C., to participate in the "Stop the Steal" rally, a gathering contesting the outcome of the 2020 presidential election. After the rally, Camden didn't simply leave; instead, he migrated towards the Capitol, ultimately breaching the restricted perimeter. He was seen climbing a media tower, brandishing a flag, and then later, forcefully attacking a bike rack barricade standing between protestors and Capitol police, as per the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Camden's aggression didn't stop at the barricade. On the Capitol West Plaza, he deployed a fire extinguisher towards law enforcement, aiming to disrupt their efforts to halt the advancing rioters.
On July 1, several months after being tagged as BOLO #286 by the FBI, Camden was arrested in Arkansas. The FBI's Little Rock and Washington Field Offices led the investigative effort with critical support from both the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department. Camden’s actions sit into a broader context, as he is one among over 560 individuals now facing charges for assaulting or obstructing officers during the Capitol riot, as noted by the U.S. Attorney's Office report.
The effects of January 6 are still being felt in courtrooms, with over 1,504 individuals charged with related crimes. Camden is scheduled for sentencing on January 10, 2025. The investigation continues as the process of accountability moves forward.
