David Paul Daniel, a North Carolina resident, pleaded guilty to assaulting police officers during the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021. The attack disrupted the certification of the 2020 election results. Daniel's plea was made before U.S. District Judge Trevor N. McFadden, who will sentence him on May 5, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Daniel traveled from Mint Hill, North Carolina, to Washington, D.C., to attend the "Stop the Steal" rally. After the first breach of the Capitol's Senate Wing Door at around 2:12 p.m., Capitol Police set up wooden barriers to block the crowd. Daniel was at the front of the mob, pushing the barriers against the officers and breaking through their line to enter the Senate Wing hallway, as stated by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Daniel was inside the Capitol for about 52 minutes, seen climbing out of a window, re-entering through another, and walking through the Crypt before leaving. The FBI, U.S. Capitol Police, and local police investigated the breach. Over 1,583 people have been arrested, with more than 600 facing charges for assaulting or obstructing law enforcement. The investigation is ongoing, and tips are still being accepted, as reported by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
