Maryland Man Pleads Guilty to Felony Charges For Offenses Committed During Jan. 6 Capitol Breach

            WASHINGTON – A Maryland man pleaded guilty today to felony charges related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, 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.

            Matthew Ryan Miller, 23, of Cooksville, Maryland, pleaded guilty in the District of Columbia to obstruction of an official proceeding and assaulting, resisting, or impeding officers. According to court documents, as a mob gathered on the West side of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, Miller threw an unidentifiable object at the Capitol building. At the time, he was draped in a Confederate flag. Miller then used a section of temporary barriers as a ladder to scale the walls of the west side of the plaza.  He also assisted other rioters in scaling the walls and other architectural obstacles.

            Miller and others then moved to the Lower West Terrace and close to the tunnel area leading into the building. Miller waved his hand, and said multiple times, “Come on,” as the mob chanted “Heave! Ho!” and rocked back and forth in pushing towards the tunnel entrance that law enforcement officers were attempting to secure. Multiple times, he put up his fingers and yelled, “one, two, three, push!” From this position, he also threw a few unidentifiable objects towards the Lower West Terrace tunnel. Then, at about 4:55 p.m., and at his closest position to the tunnel, Miller used a fire extinguisher to spray directly into the tunnel where law enforcement was stationed.

            Miller was arrested on Jan. 25, 2021, in Cooksville, Maryland. He is to be sentenced on May 23, 2022. He faces up to 20 years in prison for obstruction of an official proceeding and up to eight years in prison for assaulting law enforcement. Both charges also carry potential fines. A federal district court judge 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 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 Maryland.

            The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Baltimore and Washington Field Offices. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.

            In the one year since Jan. 6, more than 725 individuals have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including over 225 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement. The investigation remains ongoing. More than 165 individuals have pleaded guilty to federal charges, including 22 to felony offenses.

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