WELLINGTON, OH – Michael Mackrell, a 42-year-old resident of Wellington, Ohio, entered a guilty plea on October 20 to a felony count stemming from his involvement in the U.S. Capitol breach of January 6, 2021. The tumult caused by Mackrell alongside others interrupted a critical joint session of Congress aimed at validating the 2020 presidential election votes.
Mackrell, alongside his 22-year-old son, Clifford Mackrell, journeyed to the nation’s capital to partake in a political assembly at the Ellipse. Adorned in earth-tone camouflage attire and an American flag gaiter, the duo proceeded to the Capitol following the rally’s conclusion.
Upon nearing the West Plaza, Mackrell senior was amongst those pushing through barricades, compelling law enforcement to reposition closer to the Capitol. This action allowed unlawful entry into restricted areas of the Capitol, where the Vice President was briefly located.
Around 2:30 p.m., confrontations escalated as Mackrell engaged in several assaults against law enforcement officers, depicted in closed-circuit footage. In one instance, he was seen tackling a U.S. Capitol Police officer to the ground. Further footage showed Mackrell pushing and tackling other officers, amidst the chaos.
In a separate episode, the father-son pair encountered an officer attempting to secure a piece of plywood, pushing the officer to the ground.