North Carolina Man Arrested on Felony and Misdemeanor Charges for Actions During Jan. 6 Capitol Breach

           WASHINGTON — A North Carolina man has been arrested on felony and misdemeanor charges for his alleged actions 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.

           Paul Marvin Nowell, 44, of Wendell, North Carolina, is charged in a criminal complaint filed in the District of Columbia with a felony offense of obstruction of law enforcement during a civil disorder. In addition to the felony, Nowell is charged with three misdemeanor offenses, including entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds, disorderly or disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, and disorderly conduct in a Capitol building or grounds.

           The FBI arrested Nowell today in Wendell, North Carolina. He is expected to make his initial appearance in the Eastern District of North Carolina.

           According to court documents, Nowell attended the "Stop the Steal" rally in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6, 2021, and afterward made his way toward the Lower West Terrace of the U.S. Capitol building. Here, Nowell stood nearby as other rioters used metal bike rack barricades to climb up to the West Terrace. Nowell ascended onto the ledge on the West Terrace and walked up the Northwest steps leading to the Upper West Terrace.

           At about 4:50 p.m., Nowell approached a line of officers at the top of the steps and began to yell at the officers, "You are not Americans." The officers commanded, "Police. Move back," but Nowell and other rioters refused. Instead, Nowell continued to repeat, "You are not Americans." The officers again commanded, "Move down" and "Police, move back" as they attempted to walk down the steps; however, Nowell refused to move and instead stood in a stationary position directly in front of the line of officers and shook his head as if to say "no." He then said, "It doesn't make sense" to the officers, who commanded him and others to clear the area.

           Officers again commanded, "Move down" and "Police, move back." Nowell refused and stood stationary in front of the line of officers. As the officers continued moving closer to him, Nowell refused to move, repeatedly stating, "We backed you up." Then, at approximately 4:54 p.m., it is alleged that Nowell began pushing against an officer's shield as the line of officers attempted to clear the Northwest steps.

           Nowell remained in the area for several minutes and stood in front of the line of officers as they continued to command the crowd to "move back" and "back up." Nowell eventually cleared the area at approximately 5:05 p.m.

           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 Eastern District of North Carolina.

           The case is being investigated by the FBI's Charlotte and Washington Field Offices. Nowell was identified as BOLO (Be on the Lookout) #452. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.

           In the 42 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,470 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 530 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.