July 30, 2024 - WASHINGTON – A Louisiana man pleaded guilty on July 29, 2024, to a felony charge related to his conduct during the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol. 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.
Charles Tyler Himber, 30, of Slidell, Louisiana, pleaded guilty to a felony charge of civil disorder before U.S. District Judge Loren L. AliKhan. Judge AliKhan will sentence Himber at a date to be determined.
Per Statement of Facts:
Himber then made his way to the east side of the Capitol, where he tried to enter the building through the East Rotunda Doors. An alarm rang as some rioters were escorted out of the building and as others—including Himber—pushed to get in. At that moment, Himber joined with others in pushing rioters forward, who in turn pushed police, as Himber and others tried to force their way inside. Despite the attack on the officer, they were unsuccessful, and the police were able to close the door. At that point, Himber screamed, “Let us in!”
According to court documents, Himber attended the "Stop the Steal" rally on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington, D.C., and afterward made his way to the east side of the U.S. Capitol building. Here, rioters were attempting to enter the building through the East Rotunda Doors. At about 3:07 p.m., an alarm rang as some rioters were escorted out of the building and as others, including Himber, pushed forward against police to force their way inside. Despite these efforts, rioters were unable to enter the building. Himber yelled, "Let us in!"
At about 3:21 p.m., some rioters were inside the building in the antechamber by the East Rotunda Doors, and others, including Himber, were outside, attempting to push their way inside. The crowd outside then pushed their way past the police and into the building. Once inside, Himber and other rioters surged forward and into the Rotunda. Police later escorted Himber and other rioters outside of the building. Outside the building, directly below the steps on the east front, Himber climbed onto an armored truck.
The FBI arrested Himber on Feb. 16, 2024.
Court documents say that Himber made several posts on Facebook on Jan. 6, 2021, including "Were in," Making history," and 'Storm in Capitol Hill is a go…draining the swamp manually…Evacuating Capitol Hill pushing back." 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 Eastern District of Louisiana provided valuable assistance.
The FBI's New Orleans and Washington Field Offices investigated this case. The U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department provided valuable assistance.
In the 42 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,470 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 530 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.
Source: DOJ Release
