Image by Richard Burton from Pixabay 

June 19, 2024 – WASHINGTON – A Utah man was convicted of felony and misdemeanor charges in federal court in the District of Columbia on June 17, 2024, for his actions during the breach of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 6, 2021. His actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of Congress called to ascertain and validate the electoral college vote for the 2020 presidential election.

Odin Meacham, 30, of Utah, was found guilty of seven felonies: civil disorder; two counts of assaulting, resisting, or impeding law enforcement officers with a dangerous weapon; assaulting, resisting, or impeding law enforcement officers; engaging in physical violence on restricted grounds with a dangerous weapon; disorderly conduct on restricted grounds with a dangerous weapon; and entering and remaining on restricted grounds with a dangerous weapon.

U.S. District Court Judge John D. Bates will sentence Meacham on Sept. 26, 2024.

According to the government’s evidence, Meacham drove over two thousand miles, from Utah to Washington, D.C., to attend the Stop the Steal Rally on the Ellipse. Meacham then joined thousands of other rioters on a march to the U.S. Capitol Building.

At approximately 2:09 p.m., Meacham was at the forefront of the mob illegally massing at the Lower West Terrace of the Capitol Building. At approximately 2:10 p.m., Meacham rushed towards several police officers guarding the Lower West Terrace, raised a wooden flagpole over his head, and slammed the flagpole against the upper body of a Capitol Police Officer so hard that the flagpole snapped in half. Meacham then swung the broken flagpole at officers again, striking a bike rack that had been placed in front of the officers for protection.

At approximately 2:14 p.m., Meacham abandoned the broken flagpole and picked up a black metal pole from the ground. Meacham then threw the metal pole at another officer, hitting the officer on his left hand. After the metal pole throw, Meacham screamed and taunted the officer. 

At approximately 2:16 p.m., Meacham approached a separate line of officers. As an officer repeated, “please step back,” Meacham shouted to the crowd, “lean in!” and waived them towards the police line as Meacham attempted to take the officer’s baton.

Shortly afterwards, Meacham raged at the line of officers, calling them various profanities, and asking if they were scared.

The FBI arrested Meacham on May 15, 2023.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section prosecuted this case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah provided valuable assistance.

The case is being investigated by the FBI Salt Lake City Field Office’s Vernal Resident Agency and the FBI’s Washington Field Office, which identified Meacham as #400 on its seeking information photos. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.

In the 41 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,450 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 500 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.