Pennsylvania Man Charged With Two Felonies For Actions During Jan. 6 Capitol Breach

            WASHINGTON — A Pennsylvania man has been charged with felony and misdemeanor counts, including assaulting a law enforcement officer, 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.

            Cameron Edward Hess, 26, of Cleona, Pennsylvania, is charged in a criminal complaint filed in the District of Columbia with assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers or employees; obstruction of law enforcement during a civil disorder, both felonies; knowingly entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds; disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds; and parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building. FBI agents arrested Hess this morning; he is expected to make his initial appearance in District Court in Washington, D.C. on March 7, 2023.

            According to court documents, agents were also able to identify Hess via US Capitol CCTV video footage entering the US Capitol Building on Jan. 6, 2021 through the East rotunda doors. A short time later, riot police push Hess out of the Capitol building. Hess again pushes into the Capitol building at approximately 3:24 pm while law enforcement officials were attempting to direct the rioters out of the rotunda door. Later, Hess is captured in a photo that shows him assaulting police to re-gain access to the Capitol building. Hess had returned to the rotunda doors as the police are attempting to close the doors and physically engaged with a Municipal Police Officer. During this confrontation, Hess attempts to hold the door open as the officer working to close the door orders Hess to stop. The police then successfully push Hess out of the rotunda doors.

            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 Middle District of Pennsylvania.

            The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Philadelphia Field Office and the Washington Field Office. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.

            In the 25 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 985 individuals have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including approximately 319 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.