Defendant Accused of Assaulting an Officer
WASHINGTON — A Massachusetts woman was arrested on felony charges, including assaulting a law enforcement officer, for her actions during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Her 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.
Jacquelyn Starer, 68, of Ashland, Massachusetts, is charged by criminal complaint, filed in the District of Columbia, with civil disorder, a felony; assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers; entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds; disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds; and engaging in physical violence in a restricted building or grounds. She was arrested today in Ashland. She is expected to make her initial appearance later today in the District of Massachusetts.
According to court documents, on Jan. 6, 2021, Starer illegally entered Capitol grounds. She went into the Capitol through the East Rotunda Doors. Video from body worn cameras worn by Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers shows Starer approach MPD officers and make contact with an MPD officer at approximately 2:59 p.m. Shortly thereafter, Starer struck an MPD Officer.
At approximately 3:06pm, surveillance video shows Starer exited the U.S. Capitol from the East Rotunda Doors. Additional reviews of open-source video also show Starer, on January 6, 2021, exiting the east side of the U.S. Capitol Building.
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 District of Massachusetts.
The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Boston Office-Worcester Resident Agency and the FBI’s Washington Field Office, which identified Starer as #405 on its seeking information photos. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.
In the 23 months since Jan. 6, 2021, close to 900 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.