Image by Richard Burton from Pixabay
Defendant One of Initial Inside Capitol, Assaulted Law Enforcement, Climbed on Presidential Statue
June 14, 2023 - WASHINGTON – An Oregon man was found guilty in the District of Columbia today of 11 felony and misdemeanor charges related to his actions during the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol breach. 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.
Richard L. Harris, 42, of Happy Valley, Oregon, was found guilty after a bench trial before U.S. District Judge Carl J. Nichols of all charges, including obstruction of an official proceeding and aiding and abetting; two counts of civil disorder; two counts of assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers; entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly or disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, engaging in physical violence in a restrictive building or grounds; disorderly conduct in a Capitol Building, act of physical violence in the Capitol grounds or buildings and parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building.
According to evidence presented at trial, Harris was one of the initial individuals who entered the Capitol building on Jan. 6, 2021. Court documents state that before entering the Capitol, Harris took a selfie video in which he boasted that police “tear gassed us, front fucking line baby, we’re storming the Capitol.” Evidence showed that Harris then entered the Capitol through the northwest Senate Wing door at approximately 2:14 p.m., only one minute after the initial rioter entered the building.
U.S. Capitol Police video surveillance and open-source video from inside the building show Harris menacing Capitol Police officers from the front of a large crowd, resulting in the officers moving aside so that Harris and the crowd could continue into the building.
Harris then marched to the Rotunda, where he picked up a landline in the area and threatened, “Can I speak to Pelosi? We’re coming, bitch. Oh, Mike Pence? We’re coming for you, too, you fucking traitor.” Later, while still in the Rotunda, video surveillance and body-worn camera footage show Harris physically assaulting a Metropolitan Police Department officer. Harris grabbed the officer’s baton and pulled it, causing the officer to move forward toward Harris. Harris then remained in the Rotunda until he was forced out by officers at around 3:36 p.m., an hour and twenty-two minutes after entering the building.
Court records state that Harris was identified in two widely distributed videos and a photo from that day. A media video titled “A Reporter’s Footage Inside the Capitol Siege” depicts Harris telling a police officer who appears to be blocking his path, “You’re outnumbered. There’s a fucking million of us out there, and we’re listing to Trump-your boss.”
In additional media footage and photographs, Harris is seen standing on a statue of U.S. President Gerald Ford. According to court documents, Harris was identified via tips submitted do the FBI and cell phone location evidence which placed Harris in or near the Capitol that day.
Harris was arrested on March 18, 2021, in the Southern District of Florida.
Harris is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 27, 2023. A federal court judge will determine the appropriate sentence after considering all factors and the U.S. Sentencing guidelines. All charges carry potential financial penalties.
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 District of Oregon and the Southern District of Florida.
This case is being investigated by the FBI’s Portland and Washington Field Offices. Valuable assistance was provided by the FBI Miami Field Office, U.S. Capitol Police, and the Metropolitan Police Department.
In the 29 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,000 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including nearly 350 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
