Maryland Man Pleads Guilty to Assaulting Law Enforcement During Jan. 6 Capitol Breach

            WASHINGTON – A Maryland man pleaded guilty today to assaulting law enforcement 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.

            Uliyahu Haya, 48, of Silver Spring, Maryland, pleaded guilty to a felony charge of assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers before U.S. District Judge Carl J. Nichols. Judge Nichols will sentence Haya on Jan. 17, 2025.

            According to court documents, Haya traveled to Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6, 2021, and entered the U.S. Capitol building at approximately 2:14 p.m. via the Senate Wing Door. Once inside, Haya made his way around the Capitol building, traversing through the Crypt, Statuary Hall, and the Speaker of the House Lobby.

            At about 2:55 p.m., Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers were attempting to remove rioters from the Capitol building through the Upper House Doors. A rioter then resisted police efforts and confronted the officers. A physical altercation then ensued, and rioters and police began pushing one another. At this time, Haya joined in the confrontation by placing his hands on an MPD officer and shoving the officer back several feet.

            The FBI arrested Haya on Aug. 26, 2021, in Fairfax, Virginia.

            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 Offices for the Eastern District of Virginia and the District of Maryland provided valuable assistance.

            The FBI's Baltimore and Washington Field Offices investigated this case. The U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department provided valuable assistance.

            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.