A West Virginia man faces federal charges for his alleged involvement in the January 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol, as the Department of Justice continues its investigation into the violent events that disrupted the certification of the 2020 presidential election results. According to a report by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia, 51-year-old Kevin G. Moore of Logan has been indicted on a felony count of conspiracy to impede or injure officers.
Moore, who surrendered to authorities and made an initial appearance in the Southern District of West Virginia, is also charged with various misdemeanors, including entering a restricted building or grounds and parading or demonstrating in a Capitol building, Moore, alongside a previously charged codefendant, Bart Gore, is accused of coordinating plans for violence through Facebook Messenger in the days leading up to the Capitol riot, as outlined in court documents.
Messages exchanged between Moore and Gore, as described in court documents, revealed their intentions to commit violence, with one message from Gore stating, "I think we go for the head of the snake. The FBI, the CIA, Obama, Clinton's [sic], Barr, and anyone else. I don't want to live in a communist country," to which Moore responded with approval. In another exchange, Moore expressed his wish to be part of history, likening their actions to those in 1776, while Gore vocalized his readiness to fight against what he perceived as government overreach.
During the January 6 incident, both Moore and Gore were present at the U.S. Capitol, climbing stairs, enduring chemical irritants, and eventually entering the building, where Gore filmed a video proclaiming, "We made it to the top. Ready to go in. Here we come," their journey culminated in a brief occupation of the Capitol, showcasing their intent to interrupt the democratic process, according to the narrative laid out by the prosecutors, as the two entered the Capitol via the Parliamentarian Door around 2:47 p.m., Gore's words captured on video reflected a sentiment of achievement against adversity, "I've been pepper sprayed, tear gassed, but I made it."
The ongoing investigation led by the FBI's Pittsburgh and Washington Field Offices, with assistance from U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department, has brought forward charges against over 1,504 individuals across the nation, with more than 560 facing charges for assaulting or impeding law enforcement. This case is being prosecuted by the Department of Justice's National Security Division's Counterterrorism Section with help from local U.S. Attorney's Offices, emphasizing the extensive efforts to hold participants accountable for the Capitol breach.
