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September 29, 2023 - WASHINGTON – A Texas man pleaded guilty today to a felony offense related to his conduct 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 2020 presidential election.
Adam Lejay Jackson, 43, of Katy, Texas, pleaded guilty in the District of Columbia to a felony offense of assaulting a federal officer before U.S. District Judge Rudolph Contreras. Jackson is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 9, 2024.
According to court documents, Jackson traveled to Washington, D.C., on Jan. 5, 2021, via plane with his co-defendant/brother and a friend to protest Congress’ certification of the Electoral College.
On January 6, Jackson and others with him attended the “Stop the Steal” rally on the National Mall and afterward marched with other protestors to the Capitol. Jackson arrived at the West Plaza of the U.S. Capitol and interacted with other rioters. Court documents say that Jackson made several statements to other rioters heavily outfitted in tactical military gear who were walking by, including “Are we going in?”, “We got your back; let’s go”, “Hey, you know what - if one goes, we all go”, and “What are we doing standing here? Let’s go!”
At approximately 4:15 p.m., in the midst of a crowd of rioters densely assembled on the Lower West Terrace, Jackson and a friend climbed to the top of a ladder. From that vantage point, Jackson watched the violence taking place at the mouth of the Lower West Terrace Tunnel. He used his cell phone to make a video of what was happening there, often zooming in to focus on the aggressive conduct of the rioters.
At about 4:57 p.m., Jackson had gathered with other rioters on the Lower West Terrace. At that location, law enforcement officers assembled at the mouth of the Lower West Terrace Tunnel, fending off rioters who were attacking and attempting to enter the Capitol building. Here, Jackson assaulted law enforcement officers first by hurling a large, red/orange cone-like object at them and then by charging at and ramming them with a stolen police riot shield.
A few days later, on January 10, Jackson engaged in a conversation with another individual on Facebook. The individual stated to Jackson, “Looks like you guys were all up in it!” to which Jackson replied, “We were. I’m f— p—at what is happening and the things that are being covered up.” The individual then asked Jackson, “Are you going back for inauguration?” to which Jackson replied, “I’m gonna do my best to get there. Working on it.”
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 United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Counterterrorism Section of the Department of Justice’s National Security Division. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas.
The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Houston and Washington Field Offices. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.
In the 32 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,100 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 398 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.
Source: DOJ Release
