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October 7, 2023 - WASHINGTON – A Pennsylvania man pleaded guilty on Friday 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.
Cameron Edward Hess, 27, of Cleona, Pa., pleaded guilty to the felony offense of obstructing, impeding, or interfering with law enforcement officers during a civil disorder before U.S. District Judge Royce C. Lamberth in the District of Columbia.
Judge Lamberth scheduled a sentencing hearing for Feb. 26, 2024.
According to court documents, Hess was identified via closed-circuit television (CCTV) and open-source video as among the crowd of rioters who illegally entered the U.S. Capitol building on Jan. 6, 2021, via the East Rotunda doors. A short time later, police pushed Hess out of the Capitol building. Hess again pushed into the Capitol building at approximately 3:24 p.m. while law enforcement officials attempted to direct the rioters out of the Rotunda door.
Later, Hess was seen assaulting a police officer to regain access to the Capitol building. Hess had returned to the Rotunda doors as the police were attempting to close the doors and physically engaged with a Metropolitan Police Officer. During the confrontation, Hess attempted to hold the door open as the officer working to close it ordered Hess to stop. The police then successfully pushed Hess out of the Rotunda doors.
Hess was arrested on March 1, 2023.
The Court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
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 Middle District of Pennsylvania.
The case is being investigated by the FBI Philadelphia Field Office’s Capital Area Resident Agency and the Washington Field Office. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.
In the 33 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 400 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
