Image by Richard Burton from Pixabay 

Defendant Accused of Taking Part in Confrontation with Law Enforcement Officers Outside North Doors of Capitol 

December 1, 2022 - WASHINGTON —An Illinois man has been arrested on felony and misdemeanor charges for his actions during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. 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.

James McNamara, 61, of Chicago, is charged in a criminal complaint filed in the District of Columbia with assaulting, resisting, or impeding law enforcement officers and interfering with law enforcement officers during a civil disorder, both felony offenses, as well as five related misdemeanor charges. McNamara was arrested on Nov. 29, 2022, in Chicago. He made his initial appearance yesterday in the Northern District of Illinois and was released pending further court proceedings in the District of Columbia.

According to court documents, on Jan. 6, 2021, McNamara was among a mob of rioters illegally on the Capitol grounds. At approximately 3:10 p.m., he joined a confrontation with law enforcement officers near the North doors to the Capitol Building. McNamara lunged forward and swung his arms near officers who had just forcibly removed rioters from the building. He also picked up a metal bike rack and repeatedly rammed the doors. He then left but returned to continue to attempt to enter the Capitol Building before being turned away by officers.

This 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 Northern District of Illinois.

The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Chicago Field Office and the FBI’s Washington Field Office, which identified McNamara as #471 on its seeking information photos. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.

In the 22 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.

A complaint is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Attachment(s): Download McNamara - Complaint

Download McNamara - Statement of Facts