Pennsylvania Man Arrested on Felony and Misdemeanor Charges for Alleged Actions During Jan. 6 Capitol Breach

            WASHINGTON — A Pennsylvania man has been arrested on felony and misdemeanor charges related to his 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.

            Gerald a.k.a. “Jeremiah” Powell, 51, of York, Pennsylvania, is charged in a criminal complaint filed in the District of Columbia with felony offense of civil disorder and misdemeanor offenses of entering or remaining in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly or disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly conduct in a Capitol building or grounds, and parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building or grounds.

            The FBI arrested Powell on May 9, 2024, in Pennsylvania, and his initial appearance today in the Middle District of Pennsylvania.

            According to court documents, Powell was identified as present among a crowd of rioters on the east front of the Capitol grounds at approximately 1:56 p.m. on Jan 6., 2021. Here, rioters and police were wrestling for control of a line of bike rack barricades and police barriers. Eventually, the police line was broken, and the crowd of rioters advanced toward the Capitol. Court documents say that Powell was amongst the first 20 rioters to move past the police line.

            Instead of advancing, however, Powell allegedly turned back as others surged forward. Standing next to where rioters had initially broken through the police line, it is alleged that Powell began to drag the barricades that were in front of police officers to the side, expanding the opening for rioters to move froward toward to the Capitol. Powell allegedly moved at least five barricades to the side before advancing toward the Capitol building himself.

            Court documents say that Powell entered the Capitol at about 2:40 p.m. via the East Front Doors. As Powell entered the building, he waved an American flag and proceeded into the Rotunda. Inside the Rotunda, Powell marched around the permitter waving an American flag and rested it against a Jonathan Trumbull painting. Powell then produced a bullhorn from his backpack and used it for approximately one minute.

            Powell then made his way out of the Rotunda and yelled at a newly formed police line before exiting the building at approximately 2:52 p.m., waving his flag.

            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 Middle District of Pennsylvania. 

            The 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 40 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,424 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 500 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.