Illinois Man Found Guilty of Charges For Actions During Jan. 6 Capitol Breach

            WASHINGTON – An Illinois man was found guilty, at a stipulated trial in the District of Columbia, of a felony and a misdemeanor for his actions 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 presidential election.

            Thomas B. Adams, Jr., 41, of Springfield, Illinois, was found guilty on January 31, 2023, of the felony charge of obstruction of an official proceeding and aiding and abetting entering and the misdemeanor of remaining in a restricted building or grounds. The trial was held before U.S. District Court Judge Amit Mehta, who scheduled a sentencing hearing for June 16, 2023.

            According to the stipulated facts, on Jan. 6, 2021, Adams passed through a security perimeter on the west side of the Capitol Building where he joined rioters. At approximately 2:48 pm, Adams was among the rioters who entered the Capitol Building through the Parliamentarian Door, which is a fire door. On February 4, 2021, Adams told the FBI that other people had breached the door with “window washing equipment.” He also stated that he walked into the Capitol building over broken glass, and that one of the doors through which he entered had a broken window. After entering, Adams ignored and walked past a line of U.S. Capitol Police just beyond the Parliamentarian Door who were attempting to stop the rioters. Once Adams made his way past the line of officers, he made his way to the Senate Chamber by walking by Vice President Pence’s ceremonial office. At approximately 3:04 p.m., Adams entered the Senate Chamber through a door on the second floor. Adams knew that he did not have authorization to enter the Senate Chamber. Adams walked into to the Senate well, where he and multiple other rioters walked among the Senators’ desks. While on the Senate floor, Adams took pictures with his cellphone. At approximately 3:11 pm, law enforcement escorted Adams out of the Capitol Building via the Senate Carriage Door. Adams described this to the FBI as being “forced out.”

            After being removed from the Capitol, Adams told a reporter that he had traveled from Springfield, Illinois, for the rally President Trump had held earlier in the day and that he had been spurred on by President Trump's claim that he had been cheated out of victory.

            On February 4, 2021, Adams told the FBI that it was his intent to peacefully occupy the Capitol building. He stated, “since we were planning to occupy, we didn't know if they were going to be out there for one day, five days, or a week.”

            Adams was arrested on April 13, 2021, in Springfield, Illinois. He faces a statutory maximum of 20 years in prison on the obstruction charge, as well as potential financial penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

            This case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of Illinois.

            The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Springfield Field Office and Washington Field Office. Valuable assistance was provided by the Metropolitan Police Department and the U.S. Capitol Police.

            In the 24 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 950 individuals have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including over 284 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement. The investigation remains ongoing. 

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