Florida “Proud Boy” Sentenced on Felony Charge for Assaulting Officers and Breaking Window During Jan. 6 Capitol Breach

            WASHINGTON – A Florida man was sentenced today on a felony charge related to his conduct during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. His actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election.

            Steven Miles, 40, of Zephyrhills, Florida, was sentenced to 24 months in prison, 12 months of supervised release, and ordered to pay $2,000 in restitution by U.S. District Judge Jia M. Cobb. Miles pleaded guilty to a felony charge of assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain law enforcement officer on Oct. 19, 2023.

            According to court documents, Miles, a member of the Proud Boys and adult film actor, traveled from his home near Tampa to Washington, D.C., to contest the 2020 presidential election. He and other members of the Proud Boys left the rally site long before the speeches began, walked to the West Front of the Capitol, and played a leading role in escalating the riot. As the group of Proud Boys including Miles marched to the Capitol, they chanted “USA!,” “Where’s Antifa”, and “Whose Capitol? Our Capitol!”

            Wearing a desert-camouflaged jacket and jungle camo pants, Miles breached the Capitol’s restricted perimeter and confronted U.S. Capitol Police officers in riot gear who had formed a defensive line to protect the building. The confrontation between the mob and the police quickly escalated to a physical fight, during which Miles shoved and attempted to punch an officer, all in an effort to break through the line.. In addition to attempting to assault the officer, Miles made additional physical contact with law enforcement officers, seeking to obstruct, impede, and interfere with their efforts to hold back the rioters. Eventually, the mob succeeded in breaching the police line at another point, and Miles rushed to take advantage.

            At about 2:10 p.m., Miles ascended an exterior staircase to reach the Upper West Terrace. At 2:13 p.m., Miles used a wooden plank to help smash a window of the Senate Wing Door, opening up another breach point for the rioters to invade the building. Miles entered the Capitol through the broken window, and. a cascade of other rioters followed, taking advantage of the smashed window to enter the Capitol as well; the sheer number of rioters outside and inside the building overwhelmed law enforcement officers. After entering the Capitol building, Miles turned toward the Senate, where he ran into another group of police officers who directed him out of the building three minutes after he had broken into it.  

            The FBI arrested Miles on Apr. 12, 2022, in Zephyrhills.

            This case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana.

            This case was investigated by the FBI’s Tampa and New Orleans Field Offices. Valuable assistance was provided by the FBI’s Washington Field Office, the Metropolitan Police Department, and the U.S. Capitol Police.

            In the 37 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,313 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 469 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, a felony. The investigation remains ongoing.

            Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.