WASHINGTON — Two Florida men were arrested today on charges related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, which disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress that was in the process of ascertaining and counting the electoral votes related to the presidential election.
Brian Boele, 59, of Lakeland, Florida, and James Brett IV, 48, of Clearwater, Florida, were indicted in the District of Columbia on a felony charge of civil disorder and three related misdemeanor offenses. Boele was arrested in Lakeland, Florida, and Brett was arrested in Clearwater, Florida. Both are to make their initial appearances today in the Middle District of Florida.
Boele and Brett joined a group in illegally entering the Capitol grounds and making their way to the Lower West Terrace, where law enforcement officers were attempting to secure the building from a crowd of rioters.
Boele and Brett were named in a superseding indictment that previously charged three other Florida men: Alan Fischer III, 28, of Tampa; Zachary Johnson, 34, of St. Petersburg, and Dion Rajewski, 61, of Largo. Fischer, Johnson, and Rajewski have pleaded not guilty.
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 Florida.
The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Tampa Field Office. Valuable assistance was provided by the FBI’s Washington Field Office, and the U.S. Capitol Police.
In the 16 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 800 individuals have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including over 250 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement. The investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.
An indictment or complaint is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.