Man Grabbed Riot Shield, Pushed and Threw Metal Fence Toward Multiple Law Enforcement Officers 

April 29, 2021 - WASHINGTON — Today, a Utah man was arrested for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, which disrupted a Joint Session of the U.S. Congress in the process of ascertaining and counting the electoral votes related to the Presidential election.

Landon Kenneth Copeland, 33, of Apple Valley, Utah, is charged with federal offenses that include assaulting, resisting or impeding certain officers; obstruction of law enforcement during civil disorder; knowingly entering or remaining on restricted grounds; and violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds. Copeland made his initial court appearance in the District of Utah on April 29.  

According to court documents, Copeland entered the Capitol grounds on Jan. 6 where he assaulted law enforcement officers and obstructed their efforts to carry out their duties. According to U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) footage, Copeland shouted at officers and pushed another crowd member into the police line before being pushed back. Shortly after, Copeland was involved in a tug-of-war style struggle with police over a metal bike rack fence barricade. After one or more officers deployed a chemical irritant, Copeland tossed the bike rack toward multiple law enforcement officers. 

The 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 Utah.

The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office, who listed Copeland as #56 on their seeking information photos, as well as the Metropolitan Police Department, with significant assistance provided by the FBI’s Salt Lake City Field Office.

In the first 100 days after Jan. 6, 2021, over 400 individuals have been charged with crimes related to the Jan. 6 Capitol breach, including over 100 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement. The investigation remains ongoing. 

Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.

The charges contained in any criminal complaint or indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Note: A full copy of the charging document can be viewed here.