Two North Carolina Men Found Guilty of Obstructing an Official Proceeding During January 6 Capitol Breach

            WASHINGTON – Two men from North Carolina were found guilty in the District of Columbia today of felony and misdemeanor charges related to their conduct during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Their 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.

            Christopher Carnell, 21, of Cary, North Carolina, and David Worth Bowman, 22, of Raleigh, North Carolina, were found guilty of obstruction of an official proceeding, a felony. In addition, the men were convicted of several misdemeanor charges, including entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, entering and remaining on the floor of Congress, disorderly conduct in a Capitol building, and parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building.

            The two men were convicted following a stipulated bench trial before U.S. District Judge Beryl A. Howell. The men will be sentenced on June 14, 2024.

            According to the stipulated facts, on Jan. 6, 2021, Carnell and Bowman traveled from North Carolina to Washington, D.C., to attend a rally at the Ellipse. After the rally, the two walked down Pennsylvania Avenue toward the U.S. Capitol building and entered the restricted area of the Capitol grounds. The men then climbed through the scaffolding on the northwest side of the building and made their way to the Senate Wing Door. Carnell and Bowman illegally entered the Capitol at approximately 2:23 p.m. via the Senate Wing Door.

            Once inside the building, the two proceeded to the Crypt and joined a crowd of rioters as it overwhelmed a line of United States Capitol Police Officers. The men then traveled into and through the Rotunda while Carnell chanted, “TREASON, TREASON, TREASON” with others in the mob. The two then ascended the Rotunda Lobby East Stairs and observed other rioters physically attacking a journalist.

            Carnell and Bowman then entered the Senate Chamber and walked to the Senate floor at approximately 2:49 p.m. In an open-source video, Carnell can be seen discussing documents taken off of a Senator’s desk, while Bowman reviewed and photographed, and later texted, other materials from the desks.  The two then left the Senate chamber at approximately 2:55 p.m. In the evening and days that followed, the defendants confirmed their illegal activity by text message and then said the group text should be deleted.

            The FBI arrested Carnell on March 2, 2023, and Bowman on March 6, 2023, in North Carolina.

            The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia prosecuted this case and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina provided valuable assistance.

            The FBI’s Charlotte and Washington field offices investigated this case. The U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department provided valuable assistance.

            In the 37 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,313 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 469 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.