Washington, D.C./ Crime & Emergencies
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Published on October 05, 2024
New Jersey Man Arrested, Charged with Assaulting Law Enforcement During January 6 Capitol InsurrectionSource: Google Street View

A New Jersey man, Predrag Jovanovic, 64, was arrested on charges stemming from his actions during the January 6 Capitol insurrection. Among a series of charges, Jovanovic is accused of physically assaulting law enforcement officers during a clash that became emblematic of the broader violence of the day, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia.

The FBI apprehended Jovanovic in his home state on Thursday, linking him to the breach through evidence from body cam, open-source, and surveillance video footage. These videos show Jovanovic at the frontlines of an aggressive confrontation with police in the Lower West Terrace Tunnel—a location noted for a some of the most brutal encounters between rioters and police on that fateful January afternoon. Jovanovic's initial court appearance was in the District of New Jersey following his arrest.

A press release describes Jovanovic's participation in the “Stop the Steal” rally preceding the attack on the Capitol, as well as his scaling of scaffolding on the building's northwest side to reach the Inauguration platform. Surveillance captured Jovanovic forcefully breaching the inner doorway to the Capitol at around 2:43 p.m. Seconds later, he was involved in a scuffle, permitting rioters to surge forward, and at one point, grasping an officer's baton in the melee.

For about 15 minutes, Jovanovic ostensibly contended with officers in the Tunnel before exiting, but he remained within the restricted areas for nearly two additional hours. This account of Jovanovic's involvement in the siege joins over 1,504 related cases brought by federal prosecutors since the attack, with more than 560 of those indicting individuals on charges of assaulting or impeding law enforcement. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia, coupled with the Department of Justice National Security Division, manages the case against Jovanovic.

Investigations are a ongoing effort by the FBI's offices in Philadelphia and Washington, with the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department providing critical support. As the case continues, officials have encouraged the public to contribute any relevant information through the FBI tip line. While Charged, it is critical to remember that all defendants, including Jovanovic, remain presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.