November 1, 2024 – WASHINGTON – A Texas man was found guilty on Thursday of two felony offenses, including carrying a firearm onto Capitol grounds, and two misdemeanor offenses, 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.
(Pictured) A photo posted to social media of six firearms, magazines, and the hats that appear to have been worn by Mares and others that day on Capitol grounds.
Mario Mares, 50, of Ballinger, Texas, was found guilty by U.S. District Judge Ana C. Reyes of two felonies, including entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon, unlawful possession of a firearm on Capitol grounds or buildings, and two misdemeanor offenses of disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds and disorderly conduct in a Capitol building.
Judge Reyes will sentence Mares on Feb. 27, 2025.
According to evidence presented during the trial, Mares and others traveled from Ballinger, Texas, to Fairfax, Virginia, on Jan. 4 and 5, 2021, carrying with them various firearms, including both handguns and rifles, as well as ammunition. On the morning of Jan. 6, 2021, Mares and others with him attended the rally on the National Mall carrying their handguns on their persons but having left their rifles in Mares’ truck. Afterward, Mares and others walked down toward the U.S. Capitol building between approximately 12:15 p.m. and 2:30 p.m., entered the restricted permitter, and remained on U.S. Capitol grounds until approximately 4:30 p.m., all while carrying their handguns.
Evidence at trial showed that Mares was observed on January 6th with an object consistent with that of a firearm on his right hip underneath a camouflage shirt while in the District. Furthermore, publicly available images and video also captured Mares on U.S. Capitol grounds during the riot that day. Later, Mares and others with him returned to Fairfax around 6:00 p.m. and were observed unloading firearms from Mares’ truck and smelling of tear gas. That evening, an individual with Mares posted to social media a photograph of six firearms, magazines, and the hats that appear to have been worn by Mares and others that day on Capitol grounds.
Evidence at trial also showed that prior to January 6, on December 27, 2020, Mares had posted on social media that he “believe[d] that every #patriot should on January 6 if you can’t make it to Washington DC you should go to your state capitol and local mayors offices heavily armed and drag out and either jail or execute all the known CORRUPT #politicans for treason!” among other similar sentiments.
The FBI arrested Mares on Aug. 2, 2023, in Ballinger, Texas.
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 Northern District of Texas.
This case is being investigated by the FBI’s Dallas Division, Abilene Resident Agency, 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.
Attachment: Download Mares indictment
Source & photo: DOJ Release
