WASHINGTON – A New York man was arrested today on felony and misdemeanor charges, including assault on law enforcement officers, for his actions during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. His actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the US Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes in connection with the presidential elections.
John O’Kelly, 66, of East Williston, New York, is charged in a criminal complaint filed in the District of Columbia with felony charges of assault, resisting or obstructing law enforcement officers and interfering with law enforcement officers during a civil disorder. as well as related misdemeanors. O’Kelly was arrested in East Williston. He is later expected to make his initial appearance in the Eastern District of New York.
According to court documents, on the afternoon of January 6, 2021, O’Kelly illegally drove to the west front of the Capitol grounds, where rioters were fighting law enforcement officers trying to maintain a police roadblock. At approximately 2:28 p.m., O’Kelly emerged from the crowd and grabbed an officer’s baton, attempting to take the officer’s gun. The officer fought back and was able to keep possession of the baton. O’Kelly then took a step back and pushed a metal bike rack that was used to secure the perimeter on the line of officers.
This case is being prosecuted by the US Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Counterterrorism Section of the Department of Justice’s Homeland Security Division. Valuable assistance was provided by the US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York.
The case is being investigated by the FBI’s New York Field Office and its Resident Agency on Long Island, and the FBI’s Washington Field Office, which identified O’Kelly as #294 in its search warrant photos. . Valuable assistance was provided by the US Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.
In the 21 months since January 6, 2021, more than 880 individuals have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the violation of the US Capitol, including over 270 individuals charged with assault or obstructing law enforcement. The investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with a tip can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.
A complaint is simply an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
