Image by Richard Burton from Pixabay 

Defendant Assaulted a U.S. Capitol Police Officer 

October 28, 2023 - WASHINGTON – A Texas man pleaded guilty on Friday 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.

Jason Farris, 45, of Arlington, Texas, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson in the District of Columbia. Farris admitted to assaulting, resisting, and interfering with law enforcement officers, that he did so with the use of force, did so while the officer was engaged in the performance of official duties, and that the assault involved physical contact with the victim or the intent to commit another felony. Judge Jackson scheduled sentencing for Feb. 23, 2024.

According to court documents, Farris traveled to Washington, D.C., to attend the “Stop the Steal” rally at the Ellipse. Following the rally, he marched with other protestors to the Capitol building. At about 2:15 p.m., Farris joined the mob on the West Plaza of the Capitol, a location that was restricted from public access. Officers from the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department lawfully attempted to maintain a police line to prevent the mob from advancing further into the restricted area of the Capitol.

Farris proceeded toward the line of police officers who were using metal bicycle racks as a barricade to prevent rioters from advancing. Farris stood in front of the officers, insulted them using a slur, then used his open hand to hit an officer’s baton. Moments later, members of the mob grabbed one of the metal bicycle racks and attempted to pull it away from the police officers. Several officers held onto the bicycle rack to prevent it from being taken. Farris approached one officer from behind and shoved him with two hands, knocking the officer to the ground and forcing him to let go of the bike rack. Other rioters carried the bike rack into the crowd. The incident was captured on video.

Farris subsequently advanced with other members of the mob to the Upper West Terrace. Once there, he climbed onto a mechanical window washing platform that was suspended from the roof of the West side of the Capitol building. Farris and two other men caused the window washing machine to ascend the side of the building while members of the crowd gathered below cheered. Farris then used a flagpole to hit a window of the Capitol building several times.

According to Farris, after he came down from the window washing platform, he entered the Capitol building and stayed inside for a short amount of time.

Farris was arrested On Feb. 8, 2023, in Texas.

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 Texas.

The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Dallas Field Office and the FBI’s Washington Field Office, which identified Farris as BOLO AFO-322. 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.