Evergreen Reporter

A father and son from Mississippi have been convicted of felony and misdemeanor charges related to their actions during the January 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol. Their conduct, along with others', disrupted a joint session of Congress that was convened to certify the electoral votes for the 2020 presidential election.

Toney Sheldon Bray, aged 46, and his son Ethan Bray, aged 25, both residents of Blue Springs, Mississippi, were found guilty on October 4, 2024. They faced a felony charge of civil disorder and a misdemeanor charge of disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds. The verdict followed a bench trial presided over by U.S. District Judge Rudolph Contreras.

Before the trial commenced, Toney Bray admitted guilt to three misdemeanor charges: theft of government property, entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, and parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building. His son Ethan Bray pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor counts involving entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds and parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building.

The sentencing for both men is scheduled for February 7, 2025.

Evidence presented during the trial revealed that on January 6, 2021, the Brays wore military-style gear such as tactical helmets, vests, and goggles. They participated in breaching police barricades at Peace Circle around Pennsylvania Avenue NW and First Street NW at approximately 12:53 p.m., pushing past barriers marked with "AREA CLOSED" signs.

Ethan and Toney Bray were among those who first confronted law enforcement on staircases under scaffolding leading from the West Plaza to the Lower West Terrace. They entered the U.S. Capitol Building through the Senate Wing Door at approximately 2:22 p.m., moving towards the Crypt while wearing gas masks.

CCTV footage captured them inside the Crypt at about 2:24 p.m., after which they moved to the Rotunda. There they joined other rioters confronting police officers near the Senate Chamber hallway but were pushed back by police using OC spray. After moving between locations within the Capitol for some time, they exited through Rotunda doors leading to the East Front at around 2:54 p.m., having spent about 32 minutes inside.

After leaving the Rotunda area, CCTV footage showed Toney Bray carrying a U.S. Capitol Police riot shield out of the building.

The FBI arrested both individuals on June 8, 2023.

This case is prosecuted by several entities including the U.S. Attorney’s Office for D.C., DOJ's National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section with support from Mississippi's Northern District Attorney’s Office. Investigations were conducted by FBI offices in Jackson and Washington with assistance from U.S. Capitol Police and Metropolitan Police Department.

Since January 6th events unfolded nearly four years ago; over fifteen hundred individuals across almost all states have faced charges related to this breach—over five hundred seventy-one charged specifically for assaulting or impeding law enforcement—a felony offense as investigations continue actively ongoing today.