New Hampshire Man Pleads Guilty to Felony and Misdemeanor Charges for Actions During Jan. 6 Capitol Breach

           WASHINGTON – A New Hampshire man pleaded guilty on Thursday, April 11, 2024, to felony and misdemeanor charges stemming from 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.

           Richard Zachary Ackerman, 22, of Salem, New Hampshire, pleaded guilty in the District of Columbia to a felony offense of civil disorder and a misdemeanor offense of theft of government property. U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Kelly will sentence Ackerman on July 25, 2024.

           According to court documents, on Jan. 6, 2021, Ackerman traveled to Washington, D.C., from New Hampshire and sent a text message that read, “Will be going to see the action in these riots/protests” and “[i]f I get shot down there, just remember that I thought highly of you.”

           Ackerman arrived in Washington, D.C., and soon made his way to Washington Monument and then the U.S. Capitol building. Ackerman walked to the Northwest Plaza of Capitol grounds where he picked up, and put on, a United States Capitol Police officer helmet, labeled “U.S. CAPITOL POLICE” in large white lettering. From here, Ackerman made his way to the Lower West Terrace Tunnel, the site of some of the most violent attacks against law enforcement on January 6^th.

           By approximately 4:28 p.m., Ackerman joined a large crowd of rioters near the Tunnel entrance and saw rioters fighting with police and felt the effects of OC spray. At one point, Ackerman picked up a water bottle and threw it at officers in the Tunnel.

           Court documents say that Ackerman traveled back to New Hampshire on the morning of Jan. 7, 2021, and texted an individual that he “got maced really bad,” and that he “was right there, in the eye of it,” and that he “was right in the doorway of the building.”  Ackerman also sent a message that he “stole a SWAT Team officers helmet,” which he referred to as a “war trophy.” Specifically, Ackerman wrote, “I was there yesterday…& the helmet is my war trophy from the SWAT team.” The helmet was later recovered at his New Hampshire home.

           The FBI arrested Ackerman on June 20, 2023, in New Hampshire.

           The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section are prosecuting this case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Hampshire provided valuable assistance. 

           This case was investigated by the FBI’s Boston and Washington Field Offices. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police, the Metropolitan Police Department, as well as the Manchester (New Hampshire) Police Department, and the Salem (New Hampshire) Police Department.

           In the 39 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,387 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 493 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.