Washington, D.C.
AI Assisted Icon
Published on January 16, 2025
Ohio Man Charged with Assaulting Officers During January 6 Capitol BreachSource: U.S. Department of Justice

An Ohio man was arrested today on charges related to the January 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol, according to a press release from the Department of Justice. Frederick Breitfelder, 60, of Harrison, Ohio, faces multiple charges, including felony offenses for allegedly assaulting, resisting, or impeding law enforcement officers and obstructing law enforcement during civil disorder.

The FBI apprehended Breitfelder in Cincinnati, and he is set to make his initial court appearance in the Southern District of Ohio. Allegations state that during the Capitol riot, Breitfelder became part of a growing crowd that became increasingly hostile, breaching the security perimeter and advancing toward the Capitol building. He is accused of having actively participated in dismantling barricades and assaulting police officers attempting to hold the line, as reported by the Department of Justice.

Court documents and video evidence suggest that Breitfelder was seen pulling on a barricade to create an opening for rioters to advance, and later, wielding an axe handle, he is alleged to have swung it at a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officer's hand. The same footage apparently captured him pushing an MPD officer amid the chaos, as the mob surged, overpowering the law enforcement defense around 2:30 p.m. The DOJ credits the FBI's Cincinnati and Washington Field Offices for their investigation efforts, with assistance from the U.S. Capitol Police and the MPD.

Since the January 6 Capitol breach, over 1,583 individuals have been charged for crimes related to the event, including more than 600 individuals who now face charges for assaulting or impeding law enforcement, which is classified as a felony. "This case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division's Counterterrorism Section," with help from the Southern District of Ohio's U.S. Attorney’s Office, as stated by the Justice Department. They also noted that the investigation remains actively ongoing, and anyone with information has been encouraged to forward tips to FBI directly.

The series of arrests and ongoing legal battles show the government's determination to hold those accountable for their actions during the Capitol riot. The FBI is still seeking public assistance, with tips accepted at 1-800-CALL-FBI or through their online portal at tips.fbi.gov.