WASHINGTON — A Virginia man was arrested today on felony and misdemeanor charges for his actions during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. His actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the presidential election.
Henos Woldemichael, 21, of Burke, Virginia, is charged in a criminal complaint filed in the District of Columbia with interfering with law enforcement officers during a civil disorder, as well as related misdemeanor offenses. Woldemichael was arrested in the District of Columbia. He is scheduled to make his initial appearance today in the District of Columbia.
According to court documents, on Jan. 6, 2021, Woldemichael illegally entered the Capitol grounds. At approximately 2:47 p.m., he entered the Capitol. He then aggressively pushed a podium placed in the middle doorway – which had acted as a barrier between the law enforcement officers and the rioters – against the officers. He moved into the vestibule, where he recorded a selfie stating, “See grandkids, this is what it’s all about. This is why you’re free. All these great patriots.”
He then moved to the Crypt and other areas, including the office of Senator Jeff Merkley, where he knocked over a lamp. Woldemichael left the Capitol at approximately 3:16 p.m.
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 Eastern District of Virginia.
The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police, the Fairfax County, Virginia Police Department, and the Metropolitan Police Department.
In the 21 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 880 individuals have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including over 270 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.
A complaint is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.