Colorado Man Arrested For Actions On Lower West Terrace During Jan. 6 Capitol Breach

            WASHINGTON — A Colorado man has been arrested 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.

            Jonathan Grace, 49, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, is charged in a criminal complaint filed in the District of Columbia with civil disorder, a felony, and related misdemeanor offenses. He was arrested today in Denver. He is expected to make his initial appearance later today in the District of Denver.

            According to court documents, on Jan. 6, 2021, Grace was among rioters who repeatedly engaged in violence against law enforcement officers guarding the Capitol.  Grace participated in the confrontation with law enforcement officers in the Lower West Terrace and tunnel areas of the Capitol.  He entered the tunnel on the Lower West Terrace at approximately 3:12 p.m., making his way into the mob of rioters who were coordinating pushes against police officers while they yelled “HEAVE HO!” and “PUSH!”  While Grace joined in collective pushes, one police officer screamed in pain as the weight of the rioters’ pushes pinned him between a shield and a door.  Grace briefly exited the tunnel to hand his beanie and backpack to a nearby rioter, and quickly re-entered the tunnel a second time where he quickly made his way to the front of the rioters pushing against police officers. As officers attempted to push rioters out of the tunnel, Grace grasped onto the wall in attempt to maintain ground in the tunnel.  After officers cleared rioters out of the tunnel, Grace reminded nearby the mouth of the tunnel where he watched as rioters dragged an officer out of the tunnel and brutally attacked him. Then, Grace again joined the rioters in collectively pushing against the police line in the tunnel.

            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 Colorado.

            The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Denver Field Office and the FBI’s Washington Field Office which identified Grace as #233 on its seeking information photos. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.

            In the 26 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,000 individuals have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, more than 320 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.