Steve Saxiones wrapped his arms around Officer M.B. as shown. Bodycam image.
April 3, 2024 - WASHINGTON — A Texas man and alleged member of the Proud Boys organization has been arrested on felony and misdemeanor charges, including for allegedly assaulting law enforcement officers 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.
Steve Saxiones, 46, of Cedar Hill, Texas, is charged in a criminal complaint filed in the District of Columbia with felony offenses of obstruction of law enforcement during civil disorder and assault on a federal officer.
In addition to the felonies, Saxiones is charged with several misdemeanor offenses, including knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, act of physical violence in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly conduct in a Capitol building or grounds, and act of physical violence in the grounds or any of the Capitol buildings.
The FBI arrested Saxiones today in Cedar Hill. He will make his initial appearance in the Northern District of Texas.
According to court documents, at approximately 1:36 p.m. on Jan. 6, 2021, law enforcement officers on the Lower West Plaza of Capitol grounds were attempting to prevent a crowd of rioters from further advancing toward the Capitol building. As part of this effort, officers established a police line with bike rack barricades and deployed lachrymatory agents in an attempt to move the crowd away from the Capitol building.
Court documents say that rioters in the crowd were pushing and shoving against the police line and attempting to physically remove the bike rack barricades. In one such instance, a man, later identified as Saxiones, allegedly made repeated efforts to push the bike rack barricades and throw his body weight into the police line. Saxiones eventually moved to the end of one such barricade, lunged forward, and allegedly wrapped his arms around an officer. Other officers quickly responded, and Saxiones was arrested and released without being charged.
In the days leading to the events of Jan. 6, 2021, court documents say that Saxiones participated in an instant messaging group discussion with other members of the Proud Boys organization and leadership named the Ministry of Self Defense or MOSD, where members discussed travel arrangements to Washington, D.C., on the 6th, logistical issues, and the potential for violence at the Capitol. In one message to other Proud Boys members, Saxiones wrote, "What's the deal with flying with body armor? Does TSA f— with you?" and "I'm thinking of carrying a IIIA Kevlar vest I have it has more coverage than my plate carrier and it's lighter I'm also flying AA"
Saxiones also wrote messages concerning communications equipment, including "Another question do y'all use comms like Beaoufang's or Nah?" and "Yeah I was thinking cell service would either get blocked or overwhelmed[.]" Saxiones also wrote messages about concealing his appearance, including a selfie-style photograph wearing a black face covering about which he commented, "The beard is still visible."
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division's Counterterrorism Section are prosecuting this case. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Texas provided valuable assistance.
The FBI's Dallas and Washington Field Offices are investigating this case. The U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department provided valuable assistance.
In the 38 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,358 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 486 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.
