Texas Man Pleads Guilty to Felony Charge for Offenses in Jan. 6 Capitol Breach

News -- March 11, 2022 The Department of Justice announced Thursday that a Texas man pleaded

guilty to a felony charge Wednesday for his role during the Capitol breach on January 6th. The attack disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress in process of ascergaining and counting the electoral votes related to the presidential election.

Nolan B. Cooke, 23, of Sherman, Texas, pleaded guilty in the District of Columbia to a charge of civil disorder. He joined the front lines of the riot on January 6th and helped lead the charge breaking through the police line. He wore a camera around his neck and recorded videos during the day.

While on restricted grounds, Cooke was part of a crowd of individuals shoving their way through a group of U.S. Capitol Police officers, who were providing security to the Capitol on the east side of the building. Court documents showed Cooke was in the crowd and he yelled statements such as "There's a storm coming," "We're coming through," and "Nothing's holding us back." Cooke climbed the steps to the Capitol and encountered more officers guarding the entrance. He made physical contact with one or more of these officers as he tried to push through the crowd. Reaching the door of the Capitol building, he banged on a window with a flagpole displaying an American flag. He encouraged others to "Break the glass."

Information from the announcement:

Cooke was arrested on Jan. 21, 2021, in Sherman, Texas. He is to be sentenced on June 10, 2022. He faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The 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 Eastern District of Texas.

The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Dallas and Washington Field Offices. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police.

In the 14 months since Jan. 6, more than 775 individuals have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including over 245 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.

Wnctimes by Marjorie Farrington