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March 5, 2024 - WASHINGTON — An Ohio man has been arrested on felony and misdemeanor charges 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.
Evan Hunt, 37, of Columbus, Ohio, is charged in a criminal complaint filed in the District of Columbia with a felony offense of obstruction of an official proceeding and misdemeanor offenses of entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly conduct in a Capitol building or grounds, parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building.
The FBI arrested Hunt today in Columbus, and he will make his initial appearance in the Southern District of Ohio.
Charged as co-defendants are Clayton Hildebrand, 28, of West Jefferson, Ohio, and Michael Sposite, 35, of Saint Clair, Michigan. Hildebrand and Sposite are charged with misdemeanor offenses of entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly conduct in a Capitol building or grounds, parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building.
According to court documents, Hunt, Hildebrand, and Sposite were identified in Capitol surveillance footage and public source video entering the Capitol building and the restricted grounds on Jan. 6, 2021. Open-source video footage indicated that Hunt, Hildebrand, and Sposite were among the first wave of rioters to approach the West Front of the Capitol. The men are identified in video footage standing on a ledge within the restricted perimeter and chanting as rioters charged and confronted a police line. The trio remained in this area as chemical irritants were deployed to disperse the crowd.
The three men then entered the Capitol building via the Senate Wing Door at approximately 2:17 p.m., about four minutes after the initial breach of the doors. Inside, Hunt and Hildebrand entered a room to the south of the Senate Wing Door. The group exited the building at about 2:20 p.m. through the same door.
Court documents say that documents reviewed by law enforcement officials show that Hunt traveled to Washington, D.C., with intent to obstruct and impede the Electoral College vote on Jan. 6, 2021. In one instance, on Dec. 22, 2020, Hunt wrote on social media, imploring others to come to Washington, D.C. on Jan. 6, 2021. That post read, in part:
“Patriots, I cannot emphasize how important it is that you call your senators and representatives in congress and tell them not to confirm the electors from this fraudulent elections….Also, if you can in any way possible, be in Washington DC on Jan. 6 and be LOUD that We The People will not surrender our Republic to this fraud and tyranny they are trying to put us under.”
In another instance, on Dec. 23, 2020, Hunt, in response to a comment that said, “Pence is compromised….” Hunt responded:
“I’ve heard that for awhile now. I’m not convinced either direction yet. Apparently he can still do this on Jan 6 as well…I’m still looking to the electoral college vote on the 6th and enough senators and Representatives to bring motion to not accept the fraudulent electors. I’ll be in DC on the 6th for the peaceful protest to show our government that the people will not accept these fraudulent electors and for our representatives to do their constitutional duty.”
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 Southern District of Ohio and Eastern District of Michigan.
This case is being investigated by the FBI’s Cincinnati, Detroit, and Washington Field Offices. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.
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
