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

            WASHINGTON - A Wisconsin man has been arrested on felony and misdemeanor charges, including destruction of property, for his actions during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. He and others helped to disrupt a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to count the electoral votes of the 2020 presidential election.

            Charles R. Walters, 37, of Sparta, Wisconsin, is charged in a criminal complaint filed in the District of Columbia with one felony offense of destruction of government property.  In addition to the felony, Walters is charged with several misdemeanors, including entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds, disorderly or disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, and disorderly conduct in the Capitol grounds or buildings, and parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building.

            Walters was arrested today in Wisconsin and will make his initial appearance in the Western District of Wisconsin.

            According to court documents, on Jan. 6, 2021, Walters was identified via multiple open-source videos and body-worn camera footage from U.S. Capitol police officers as among a crowd of rioters on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol building. Here, Walters destroyed fencing near a police line by kicking and stomping on it. Afterward, Walters climbed the inaugural stage risers and made entry into the Capitol building wearing a helmet and ballistic-style vest in a stack formation with other rioters.  He remained on Capitol grounds until forced to leave by police as darkness was falling.

            This case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.  Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Wisconsin.

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

            In the 32 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,100 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 396 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.fib.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.