Image by Richard Burton from Pixabay 

February 14, 2024 - WASHINGTON — A Massachusetts man has been arrested on felony and misdemeanor charges related to his actions during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. It is alleged that 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 presidential election.

            Thomas J. Method, 57, of Framingham, Massachusetts, is charged in a criminal complaint filed in the District of Columbia with a felony offense of obstruction of an official proceeding. In addition, Method is charged with several misdemeanor offenses, including knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority and disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds.

            Method was arrested today in Framingham and made his initial appearance in the District of Massachusetts.

            According to court documents, Method traveled from his home in Massachusetts to Washington, D.C., and participated in the U.S. Capitol riots on Jan. 6, 2021. Video footage taken from that day depicts a man, allegedly later identified as Method, entering the U.S. Capitol building amongst a riotous crowd.

            Law enforcement identified a video manifesto recorded on Jan. 5, 2021, where Method allegedly stated: “Hopefully the strength in numbers and this movement will get more Senators on board, and we can overthrow this . . . . I don’t care what happens as long as Trump maintains his presidency. I have a feeling it’s going to be mayhem, chaos, and pandemonium.”

            The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia is prosecuting this case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts provided valuable assistance.   

            The FBI’s Boston and Washington Field Offices are investigating this case. The U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department provided valuable assistance.

            In the 37 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,313 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 469 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.

            A complaint is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Source: DOJ Release