Colorado Man Arrested for Assault on Law Enforcement During Jan. 6 Capitol Breach

            WASHINGTON — A Colorado man has been arrested for assaulting law enforcement and other crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, which disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress that was in the process of ascertaining and counting the electoral votes related to the presidential election.

            Avery Carter MacCracken, 68, of Telluride, Colorado, is charged with engaging in physical violence in a restricted building or grounds, civil disorder, and assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers, inflicting bodily injury, among other charges. He was arrested on Dec. 11, 2021, in Telluride, Colorado, and made his initial appearance today in the District of Colorado. He remains detained pending further court proceedings.

            According to court documents, on Jan. 6, MacCracken approached a police line that was attempting to protect the Capitol building and grounds. He assaulted an officer with the Metropolitan Police Department with pushes, shoves, and a strike to the face. The punch to the officer’s cheek caused a cut to the officer’s face under his eye. Additionally, according to court documents, MacCracken moved along the police line and assaulted a second Metropolitan Police Department Officer by pushing, shoving, and grabbing the officer.

            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 Colorado.

            The case is being investigated by the Grand Junction Resident Agency of the FBI’s Denver Division and the FBI’s Washington Field Office, which identified MacCracken as #387 in its seeking information photos. Valuable assistance was provided by the San Miguel County, Colorado Sheriff’s Office, the Telluride Marshal’s Office, the Metropolitan Police Department and the U.S. Capitol Police.

            In the 11 months since Jan. 6, more than 700 individuals have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including over 220 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.

            The charges contained in any criminal complaint or indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.