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Defendant Illegally Entered Capitol and Disrupted Congressional Proceedings
December 8, 2022 - WASHINGTON – A Florida man was found guilty in the District of Columbia today of four misdemeanor charges for his actions during the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol breach. The defendant’s 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.
John Nassif, 56, of Chuluota, FL, 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.
According to the government’s evidence, on January 6, 2021, John Nassif, 56, of Chuluota, FL, attended the Stop the Steal rally on the ellipse of the National Mall. Nassif then marched to the Capitol building to protest Congress’s certification of the presidential election results. After accompanying his friends back to their hotel, Nassif returned to the East side of the Capitol alone. At approximately 3:01 p.m., Nassif entered the restricted area on the East front plaza of the Capitol. He joined a large crowd outside a door on the East Front. Nassif observed police officers pushing people back from the door and closing it. The windows in the door were broken and an alarm was ringing. Nassif heard other members of the crowd shout, “why the f**k can't we come in!” and “It's going to take an army to remove us!” Nassif turned to the crowd and yelled “Whose House?” The crowd shouted back, “Our House!” Nassif repeated this chant six times.
When the door was pushed open from the inside by another rioter, Nassif entered the Capitol building with the purpose of disrupting congressional proceedings. He was able to enter, despite a police officer trying to push him back, at 3:13 p.m. Once inside, Nassif waved for other rioters to enter behind him, as police struggled to re-close the door. Nassif then walked deeper into the building. From the doorway of the Rotunda, Nassif recorded a video of rioters in the Rotunda physically resisting police officers who were attempting to remove them. Nassif entered the Rotunda and joined the other rioters, until he was pushed back out a minute later. Nassif exited the Capitol building at 3:23 p.m.
Nassif was arrested on May 10, 2021, in Chuluota, Florida.
Nassif is to be sentenced on March 13, 2023, on the four misdemeanor counts (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 charges of entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds; disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds carry a statutory maximum of one year in prison. The charges of disorderly conduct in a Capitol Building, and parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol Building carry a statutory maximum of six months in prison. All charges 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 U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida.
The case was investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office and the FBI’s Tampa Division, Orlando Resident Agency.
Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.
In the 23 months since Jan. 6, 2021, nearly 900 individuals have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including over 275 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.
Source: DOJ Release
