New Jersey Man Arrested for Assaulting Law Enforcement and Other Charges During Jan. 6 Capitol Breach

            WASHINGTON — A New Jersey man has been arrested for allegedly assaulting law enforcement 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.

            Predrag Jovanovic, 64, of Pilesgrove, New Jersey, is charged in a criminal complaint filed in the District of Columbia with felony offenses of assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers and obstruction of law enforcement during a civil disorder.

            In addition to the felonies, Jovanovic 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, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a Capitol building or grounds, and impeding passage through the Capitol grounds or buildings.

            The FBI arrested Jovanovic on Oct. 3, 2024, in New Jersey, and he made his initial appearance in the District of New Jersey.

            According to court documents, Jovanovic was identified through body-worn camera, open-source, and surveillance video footage near the Lower West Terrace Tunnel at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington, D.C. The Tunnel was the site of some of the most violent attacks against law enforcement that day.

            Jovanovic previously attended the “Stop the Steal” rally near the Ellipse before making his way toward the Capitol and ascending the scaffolding on the northwest side of the building. After ascending the scaffolding, Jovanovic reached the Inauguration platform outside the Tunnel.

            At approximately 2:41 p.m., surveillance footage depicted Jovanovic entering the Tunnel and approaching the inner doorway leading directly into the Capitol building. At approximately 2:43 p.m., surveillance footage showed Jovanovic rushing a line of police officers on the other side of the doorway. One of the officers used his baton against one of the rioters directly in front of Jovanovic.

            In the ensuing scuffle, Jovanovic was forced back behind one of the glass doors. About 20 seconds later, Jovanovic forced open one of the doors, allowing rioters to surge forward and attack the police line. Seconds later, Jovanovic advanced further into the Tunnel and pushed directly against a police officer’s riot shield. Meanwhile, police officers commanded rioters to move back and used their batons and riot shields to defend themselves against the surging mob. At one point in the scuffle, Jovanovic reached out with his right hand and grabbed an officer’s baton, then pulled on the baton, dragging the officer towards the mob.

            Jovanovic remained in the Tunnel for approximately the next 15 minutes, continuing to push against the police line at various points before exiting the Tunnel at about 3:01 p.m. Jovanovic remained unlawfully within the restricted area on the West Side of the U.S. Capitol for approximately another two hours before police cleared the area.

           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 New Jersey.

            This case is being investigated by the FBI's Philadelphia and Washington Field Offices. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.

            In the 44 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,504 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 560 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.