Florida Man Found Guilty of Charges for Actions Related to Capitol Breach

            WASHINGTON – A Florida man was found guilty today of four misdemeanor charges for his actions during the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol breach. 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.

            Jesus Rivera, 38, of Pensacola, Florida, was found guilty of entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds; disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds; disorderly conduct in a Capitol Building; and parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol Building. The bench trial was before U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly.

            According to the government’s evidence, in the early afternoon of Jan. 6, 2021, Rivera illegally crossed a perimeter set up by law enforcement officers and entered the Capitol grounds, initially in the area of the Northwest Lawn. He joined a crowd that surged forward towards law enforcement officers attempting to secure that area and then moved to the area of the Upper West Terrace. He encouraged the mob with shouts of, “Come on, come on.” He also posted videos while on the Capitol grounds, including one in which he declared, “My birthday is in three days, but I’ll take it as this one. Today is my f---- birthday! “ Rivera joined rioters outside the Senate Wing Door, as officers struggled to keep the crowd outside. He crawled into the building through a broken window. He continued to record videos as he roamed the hallways, including in the Crypt.

            Rivera finally left the Capitol after remaining inside for approximately 20 minutes. Later he boasted, “This is something we can tell our kids about.”

            Rivera was arrested on Jan. 20, 2021, in Pensacola, Florida. A sentencing date has not yet been set. Two of the misdemeanors carry a statutory maximum of one year, and the other two carry a statutory maximum of six months. The charges also carry potential financial penalties. The Court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

            The 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 Northern District of Florida.

            The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Jacksonville Field Office and its Pensacola Resident Agency. Valuable assistance was provided by the FBI’s Washington Field Office, the Metropolitan Police Department, and the U.S. Capitol Police.

            In the 17 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 840 individuals have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including over 250 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.