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Press Release

Idaho Man Arrested for Repeated Assault on Law Enforcement Officers During Jan. 6 Capitol Breach

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Columbia
Assailant Pushed Officers to the Ground, Punched and Struck them with PVC Pipe

Note: A full copy of the complaint can be viewed 

WASHINGTON — Today, the District of Columbia unsealed a complaint against Duke Edward Wilson, 66, of Nampa, Idaho, for assaulting law enforcement officers, among other charges, during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 that disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress in the process of affirming the presidential election.

Wilson is charged with entering and remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority; assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers or employees; parading, demonstrating or picketing a Capitol building; obstruction of an official proceeding; and obstruction of law enforcement during a civil disorder.

According to court documents, Wilson entered the Lower West Terrace tunnel area of the U.S. Capitol building shortly before 3 p.m. where rioters were pushing against law enforcement officers to break in. Publicly available video posted to YouTube as well as body worn camera (BWC) and surveillance footage shows Wilson assaulting one U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) officer and one Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officer. As depicted in the video footage, Wilson forcibly pulled on Capitol doors and was sprayed with a chemical irritant by officers. He then picked up what appeared to be a several foot-long PVC pipe and began jabbing officers with it before throwing the pipe at officers. Wilson appeared to assist others in their attempts to steal riot shields and push officers to the ground while lingering in the tunnel for nearly 14 minutes.

The FBI’s Salt Lake City Field Office arrested Wilson on April 15, 2021.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section are prosecuting the case, with valuable assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Idaho.

The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Salt Lake City and Washington Field Offices, along with the U.S. Capitol Police and Metropolitan Police Department, who listed Wilson as #87 on their seeking information photos. Valuable assistance in this matter was provided by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, Boise Police Department and Canyon County Sheriff’s Office.

Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov

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

Updated April 15, 2021

Topics
Counterterrorism
National Security