October 12, 2024 – WASHINGTON – An Oregon man was found guilty of assaulting law enforcement with a weapon and other charges 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.
Ryan Wilson, 41, of Athena, Oregon, was found guilty of six felonies, including civil disorder; assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers; assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers using a dangerous weapon; entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon; disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon; engaging in physical violence in a restricted building or grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon.
In addition to the felonies, Wilson was found guilty of misdemeanor offenses of disorderly conduct in a Capitol building and act of physical violence in the Capitol grounds or buildings.
Wilson was convicted following a bench trial before U.S. District Judge Trevor N. McFadden. Judge McFadden will sentence Wilson on Jan. 16, 2025.
According to evidence presented during the trial, Wilson and his father traveled from Oregon to Washington, D.C., and attended the “Stop the Steal” rally on Jan. 6, 2021, at the Ellipse, where they listened to the former President address the crowd. Wilson and his father then walked with the crowd to the Capitol and then men made their way to the doorway to the Lower West Terrace, also referred to as the Tunnel. The Tunnel was the site of some of the most violent attacks against law enforcement on January 6th.
Before entering the Tunnel, Wilson put on a black balaclava which covered his face and entered at approximately 2:56 p.m. Court documents say that Wilson and his father made their way into the Tunnel toward the police line and, at about 2:58 p.m., Wilson threw a water bottle at the police. By approximately 3:00 p.m., Wilson was standing directly in front of the police line, separated only by shields that the police officers were using to defend themselves.
At that time, a rioter behind Wilson began to thrust a pipe toward the police. Wilson then grabbed the pipe and rammed it toward the police repeatedly and forcefully. Wilson then took steps to re-position himself and used the pipe to thrust near the heads and faces of the officers. The police then deployed OC spray, which hit Wilson. He then threw the pipe toward the police line, turned around, and exited the Tunnel.
The FBI arrested Wilson on Sept. 7, 2023.
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 Oregon.
This case is being investigated by the FBI’s Portland and Washington Field Offices. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.
In the 45 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,532 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 571 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.
Associated Documents:
Wilson Complaint [PDF, 245 KB]
Wilson Statement of Fact [PDF, 2 MB]
Source & photos: DOJ Release
