Ohio Man Found Guilty of Felony and Misdemeanor Charges Related to Capitol Breach

Defendant Convicted of Obstructing the Certification of the 2020 Election

            WASHINGTON – An Ohio man was found guilty in the District of Columbia late yesterday 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.

            Alexander Sheppard, 23, of Powell, Ohio, was found guilty of obstruction of an official proceeding, a felony, entering and remaining in a restricted grounds or building, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly conduct in a capitol building, and parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a capitol building,

            According to evidence introduced at trial, video from January 6, 2021, shows Sheppard among a large group of rioters who climbed the stairs on the Northwest side of the Capitol building just after the initial breach and entering through a door with shattered windows. Video recorded inside the U.S. Capitol building showed Sheppard  overrunning police lines at multiple locations throughout the U.S. Capitol and engaging in disruptive conduct just outside of the House Chamber.  Additional video showed Sheppard running to the Speaker’s Lobby doors and screaming at the U.S. Capitol Police officers who stood guard there while House members and staff attempted to evacuate behind them. Sheppard recorded a video of the evacuation on his cell phone. Sheppard also recorded other rioters smashing the glass windows of the doors to the Speaker’s Lobby.

            This case was investigated by the FBI’s Cincinnati and Washington Field Offices. Police from Columbus, Ohio, provided cooperation and assistance in the investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.

            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 Southern District of Ohio.

            In the 24 months since Jan. 6, 2021, nearly 950 individuals have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including over 284 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.