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October 20, 2023 - WASHINGTON – A Pennsylvania man pleaded guilty today to a felony charge 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 2020 presidential election.
Anthony Nolf, 37, of Birdsboro, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to one count of civil disorder in the District of Columbia before U.S. District Judge Beryl A. Howell. Judge Howell scheduled a sentencing hearing for Jan. 19, 2024.
According to court documents, on Jan. 6, 2021, Nolf attended the “Stop the Steal” rally at the Ellipse and afterward made his way to the Capitol building to express his frustration with the election. Nolf, wearing a camouflage-colored hat with the words "Trump 2020" in red, white, and blue typeface, a gray hoodie, blue jeans, and, at times, a camouflage gator, entered the West Plaza and encountered protective fencing made up of metal bike racks. Nolf assisted in removing the fencing by passing it back as a co-defendant handed it to him.
Nolf then proceeded to the Lower West Terrace Tunnel, where some of the most violent assaults on law enforcement officers occurred on January 6th. Here, Nolf witnessed rioters assaulting law enforcement officers. Despite this, Nolf and others entered the Tunnel at approximately 4:17 p.m.
Inside the Tunnel, Nolf participated in a coordinated “heave-ho” effort with other rioters against the assembled police line. As Nolf moved deeper into the Tunnel, he lowered his body and dropped his shoulder into the rioters in front of him in order to add pressure against the officers defending the Tunnel. Nolf is seen smiling moments later. Officers expelled the rioters in the Tunnel, including Nolf, at approximately 4:21 p.m.
The FBI arrested Nolf in Pennsylvania on April 5, 2023.
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 Offices for the District of Delaware and the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
This case is being investigated by the FBI Field Office in Baltimore, Washington, and the Philadelphia Field Office’s Capital Area Resident Agency. 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
