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August 29, 2024 – WASHINGTON – A South Carolina man was arrested on Wednesday for assaulting a law enforcement officer and other charges related to his alleged conduct during the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol. His alleged 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.
Jason Brian Barrett, 49, of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, is charged in a criminal complaint filed in the District of Columbia with felony offenses of obstruction of law enforcement during civil disorder and assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers.
In addition to the felonies, Barrett is charged with four misdemeanor offenses, including entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, engaging in physical violence in a restricted building or grounds, and disorderly conduct in a Capitol building.
The FBI arrested Barrett on Wednesday in Myrtle Beach, and he will make his initial appearance in the District of South Carolina.
According to court documents, Barrett was identified among a mob of rioters that breached the U.S. Capitol grounds at about 1:00 p.m. on Jan. 6, 2021, and flooded onto the West Plaza. As officers attempted to fend off the mob, it is alleged that Barrett can be seen climbing over a short wall, retrieving a blue "Trump 2020" flag, assisting other rioters over the wall, and making his way closer to a line of police officers.
At about 1:12 p.m., police officers from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) arrived to assist the Capitol Police. Together, the officers formed another line of bike rack barricades and moved the crowd back as rioters continued to attack the police officers using various weapons, and eventually, the crowd pulled away the bike rack barricades. As officers continued to fend off constant attacks from the crowd, Barrett remained at the front of the mob.
As the crowd grew increasingly agitated and aggressive towards the police officers, the mob made a concerted effort forward. At this time, it is alleged that Barrett forcefully grabbed an MPD bicycle patrol officer from behind, wrapped his arm around the officer's neck, and maintained control over the officer. The officer repeatedly yelled, "GET OFF ME!" as Barrett continued his alleged attack, and nearby officers soon came to the officer's aid.
Court documents say that after the police officer broke free from Barrett's alleged attack, Barrett dropped back from the police line, picked up a white helmet, and threw it in the general direction of security barriers and posts manned by police officers.
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 Office for the District of South Carolina.
The case is being investigated by the FBI's Columbia and Washington Field Offices. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.
In the 43 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,488 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including nearly 550 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
