Maryland Man Arrested on Felony and Misdemeanor Charges for Actions During Jan. 6 Capitol Breach

A Maryland man has been arrested on felony and misdemeanor charges for his conduct 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 2020 presidential election.

Brandon Heffner, 38, of Harford County, Maryland, is charged in a criminal complaint filed in the District of Columbia with a felony offense of obstruction of law enforcement during civil disorder. In addition to the felony, Heffner is charged with misdemeanor offenses of knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, and disorderly conduct in a Capitol building.

Heffner was arrested today by the FBI in Windsor Mill, Maryland, and will make his initial appearance in the District of Columbia.

According to court documents, Heffner was identified in open-source video footage as among a group of rioters coalesced on the Lower West Terrace of the Capitol. Heffner wore a black tactical, black helmet, and black backpack. Here, rioters, including Heffner, physically blocked an exterior door and held it shut to prevent police from exiting to deploy tear gas. Specifically, one of the individuals (not Heffner) blocking the door told another individual: “Spread the word. They’re trying to come out and tear gas.”

Read more: Department of Justice