Montana Man Arrested for Assaulting Law Enforcement and Other Charges During Jan. 6 Capitol Breach

            WASHINGTON — A Montana man has been arrested on felony and misdemeanor charges, including for assaulting law enforcement 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.

            Frank Dahlquist, 45, of Helena, Montana, is charged in a criminal complaint filed in the District of Columbia with felony offenses of civil disorder and assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers. In addition to the felonies, Dahlquist is charged with several misdemeanor offenses, including knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority and violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds.

            Dahlquist was arrested on Jan. 10, 2024, in Montana and made his initial appearance in the District of Montana. Dahlquist is the Chief of a local fire department in Helena, Montana.

            According to allegations in court documents, Dahlquist, a former Washington state firefighter, was depicted in multiple photographs and video footage from entities in and around the United States Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. In the media footage, Dahlquist can be seen wearing a black hoodie with “1776” in white numerals surrounded by white stars on the front. According to court documents, Dahlquist was present on the West Plaza of Capitol grounds and was photographed and video-recorded assaulting and attempting to assault police officers.

            In one image, Dahlquist is depicted spraying an orange-colored chemical agent directly into the face of a police officer. Following this attack, the officer was required to seek medical attention. Dahlquist was then captured on body-worn camera footage spraying a chemical agent toward the face of a Metropolitan Police Department officer. This officer was also required to seek medical attention. Later, on the Upper West Terrace, Dahlquist was captured in video footage throwing a piece of lumber over his shoulder, up into the air and towards a group of law enforcement officers. However, the lumber did not strike the officers.

            Court documents say that at approximately 3:06 p.m., Dahlquist entered the Capitol building via the Senate Wing door. As he progressed through the building, Dahlquist used his cell phone to record video footage of his exploits. After lingering in the foyer near the Senate Wing Door for some minutes, Dahlquist proceeded to the Crypt and walked around, still recording with his phone. He left the building via the Senate Wing doors at about 3:24 p.m. After exiting the Capitol building, Dahlquist remained on the Upper West Terrace and continued to engage with law enforcement until at least 4:22 p.m.

            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.  Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Montana.

            This case is being investigated by the FBI's Seattle, Salt Lake City, and Washington Field Offices. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.

            In the 36 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,265 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 440 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.

            A complaint is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.