Washington, D.C./ Crime & Emergencies
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Published on October 10, 2024
70-Year-Old California Man Admits to Capitol Assault Charges, One Man's Cane Turns Weapon in Jan. 6 Riot AftermathSource: Google Street View

A California man, Jerry Daniel Braun, has pleaded guilty to multiple charges relating to his actions during the Jan. 6 Capitol breach. From the South El Monte area, at 70 years old, Braun is facing six felony counts, including civil disorder and assaulting law enforcement officers with a deadly weapon, according to a release from the U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Columbia.

Braun's guilty plea includes his involvement in entering and remaining in a restricted building with a deadly weapon, and engaging in violent behavior within those grounds. Notably, he has also admitted to additional misdemeanor charges, comprising disorderly conduct in the Capitol Building or Grounds. The clashes between protesters and police officers on that January day led to Braun assaulting a police line with a cane and later, an eight-foot-long wooden beam.

Events unfolded as Braun, after attending the "Stop the Steal" rally, joined the surge of rioters pushing against law enforcement at the Capitol. In one detailed incident, he was seen assaulting a person labeled "PRESS" with the same 2x4 wooden beam. This guilty plea comes after an extensive investigation by the FBI with coordination from various departments, including the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.

U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Kelly is set to sentence Braun on Jan. 27, 2025. The prosecution of this case was a collaborative effort between the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section, with additional support from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California. Since the attack on the Capitol, over 1,532 individuals have been charged for their participation, with more than 571 of those for assaulting or impeding law enforcement, a felony.

The widespread federal response to the Capitol breach is ongoing, and members of the public can still contribute any relevant tips by contacting 1-800-CALL-FBI or visiting the FBI's tips website