Merrick B. Garland, Attorney General | https://www.justice.gov/
Merrick B. Garland, Attorney General | https://www.justice.gov/
A California resident, Jerry Daniel Braun, 70, has admitted guilt to multiple charges related to the January 6, 2021 breach of the U.S. Capitol. The charges include assaulting law enforcement with a weapon and other felonies that disrupted a joint session of Congress tasked with certifying the electoral votes for the 2020 presidential election.
Braun, from South El Monte, pleaded guilty on October 9, 2024, to six felony counts: civil disorder; two counts of assaulting officers (one involving a deadly weapon); entering and remaining in restricted areas with a deadly weapon; disorderly conduct in restricted areas with a deadly weapon; and engaging in physical violence in restricted areas with a deadly weapon. Additionally, he pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges of disorderly conduct and committing an act of physical violence in Capitol grounds. U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Kelly is set to sentence Braun on January 27, 2025.
The government's evidence indicates that Braun traveled from California to Washington D.C., attended the "Stop the Steal" rally near the Ellipse, and moved towards the Capitol building by noon on January 6th. He joined rioters at Garfield Circle before advancing against police lines on West Plaza.
Around 1:11 p.m., rioters attacked police officers, dragging one into the mob where Braun was seen swinging a cane at individuals on the ground. He then confronted officers shouting profanities and attempted to wrestle barricades away from them using his cane as a tool for striking.
Later events saw Braun wielding an eight-foot wooden beam against police officers and attacking someone labeled "PRESS" who was holding a camera. Braun stayed within restricted perimeters until approximately 4:00 p.m.
The FBI arrested Braun in California on April 12, 2022. The case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia along with assistance from other federal offices and agencies including FBI's Los Angeles and Washington Field Offices.
Since January 6th, over 1,532 individuals have been charged across nearly all states for crimes linked to this event—more than 571 facing charges for assaulting or impeding law enforcement officials.
Anyone possessing relevant information can contact authorities via phone or online through provided channels.
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