Image by Richard Burton from Pixabay 

Defendant Assaulted Officer with Wooden Pole, Threw Objects at Police, Stole Riot Shield 

January 6, 2024 - WASHINGTON – A Maryland man pleaded guilty on Friday to a felony charge of assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers using a dangerous weapon 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.

Scott Miller, 37, of Millersville, Maryland, pleaded guilty in the District of Columbia to a felony charge of assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers using a dangerous weapon in front of U.S. District Judge Tanya S. Chutkan. Miller is scheduled to be sentenced on April 19, 2024. 

According to court documents, on the morning of Jan. 6, 2021, Miller, a member of the Maryland Chapter of the Proud Boys, left his home in Maryland, purchased a new truck, and drove to Washington, D.C., to participate in the events at the Capitol that day. Miller arrived by approximately 4:15 p.m. and made his way to the Lower West Terrace “Tunnel”, the site of some of the most violent assaults on law enforcement officers that occurred on January 6th. Miller wore orange ski goggles, a black hooded sweatshirt under a tan coat, a tan backpack, a black and red neck gaiter, dark-colored pants, and black motorcycle gloves.

At the Tunnel entrance, Miller joined the crowd of rioters who were attacking members of the Metropolitan Police Department (“MPD”) and the United States Capitol Police (“USCP”), who were defending the Tunnel and were lawfully engaged in the lawful performance of their official duties. Court documents say that at approximately 4:27 p.m., Miller struck an MPD officer with a long wooden pole multiple times. After that assault, Miller threw at least five objects at the police in the Tunnel, including a metal pipe or pole, a bottle, a short wooden stick, a large black speaker, and an article of clothing.

At approximately 4:33 p.m., Miller then struck multiple police officers who were defending the tunnel several times by swinging and jabbing a long blue and white pole at their heads. Shortly thereafter, Miller grabbed ahold of a USCP riot shield held by two officers. Miller pulled the shield out of their hands and, after a brief struggle, ripped the shield away from the officers. Miller then carried the shield back into the crowd behind him and handed it to another rioter.

Miller was arrested on Dec. 16, 2022, in Maryland by the FBI.

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 Maryland.

The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office, which identified Miller as #132 on its seeking information photos. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.

In the 36 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,265 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 440 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.