Defendant Posted Video of Himself on His Facebook Page
WASHINGTON – A Florida man was found guilty in the District of Columbia today of felony and misdemeanor charges for his actions during the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol breach. 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.
Bradley Weeks, 44, of Macclenny, Florida was found guilty of five charges in total, including one felony. The verdict followed a bench trial before U.S. District Judge Thomas F. Hogan. Weeks was found guilty of obstruction of an official proceeding, a felony; entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds; disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds; disorderly conduct in a capitol building; parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building.
According to the government’s evidence, Weeks traveled to the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021 and recorded video of the crowd on the Capitol lawn. Upon reaching the Upper West Terrance of the Capitol Building, Weeks set the camera to record himself declaring “We’ve reached the steps. We’ve had to climb scaffolding. We’ve had to climb ladders. We’ve had to break things to get through, but we’ve gotten through. We’ve gotten through, and we are taking back the Capitol! We’re taking back our country! This is our 1776! This is where it’s gonna happen! This is where Tyranny will fall! This is where America will rise! Look at this, America! Look at this!” He then turned the camera back toward the lawn. Weeks then illegally entered the Capitol building.
Sentencing will be scheduled at a later date. The felony obstruction charge carries a statutory maximum of 20 years in prison and potential financial penalties. The misdemeanor offenses of entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds; and disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds each carry a statutory maximum of one year of incarceration. The misdemeanor offenses of disorderly conduct in a capitol building; and parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building each carry a statutory maximum of six months. The Court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. Valuable assistance was provided by U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida.
The case was investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office. Valuable assistance was provided by the FBI’s Jacksonville Field Office and the U.S. Capitol Police.
In the 23 months since Jan. 6, 2021, nearly 900 individuals have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including over 275 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.