Pennsylvania Man Arrested on Felony and Misdemeanor Charges for Actions During Jan. 6 Capitol Breach

            WASHINGTON — A Pennsylvania man has been arrested on felony and misdemeanor charges 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.

            Ian MacBride, 43, of Douglassville, Pennsylvania, is charged in a criminal complaint filed in the District of Columbia with a felony offense of obstruction of an official proceeding and misdemeanor offense of entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly conduct in a Capitol building, theft of government property, and parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building.

            MacBride was arrested today in Pennsylvania and made his initial appearance in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

            According to allegations in court documents, MacBride was identified in and around the U.S. Capitol building and grounds on Jan. 6, 2021. At about 2:17 p.m., MacBride scaled the Northwest Stairs of the Capitol building with other rioters and approached the exterior of the Senate Wing door. MacBride then entered the building via the Senate Wing door at about 2:18 p.m., just five minutes after the initial breach. At the time MacBride entered, a loud siren continuously rang inside the doorway and shattered glass covered the floor near the entryway.

            After entering the building, MacBride turned north and walked into a large, circular room known as the Crypt, where he joined other rioters amassing against a thin line of USCP officers blocking the crowd from breaching further into the Capitol. At about 2:25 p.m., the crowd of rioters in the Crypt overran the line of officers blocking their path, allowing the crowd to fill the remainder of the room and access the Memorial Door staircase leading to the second floor of the Capitol where the Senate and House Chambers were located. After the rioters had pushed past police and filled the Crypt, MacBride is seen following the crowd into a doorway, and eventually, toward the Memorial Door staircase. United States Capitol Police officers then led MacBride and several other rioters east to the Memorial Doors, where MacBride exited the Capitol building at approximately 2:39 p.m.

            Court documents state that during his time on Capitol grounds, Macbride stole a U.S. Capitol Police sign that stated, "Area Closed." MacBride allegedly later made a post on a social media forum, stating, "Hung my Capitol battle flags and ill gotten 'Area Closed' sign up in my bar tonight." In the days following the events of Jan. 6, 2021, MacBride again posted on a social media forum that, "I don't regret my part in occupying the building."

            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 Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

            This case is being investigated by the FBI Philadelphia Division, Allentown, Pennsylvania Resident Agency, and the FBI Washington Field Office. 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.