America watches hordes of rioters broke into the US Capitol on January 6 – smashing windows, stepping up stairs and both lawmakers and law enforcers running for their lives. The flood of protesters pouring into the Capitol that day left federal prosecutors with an equally big task: finding and prosecuting those responsible.
Earlier this month, Acting U.S. Attorney Michael Sherwin said, “The scope and extent of this investigation in these cases is truly unprecedented, not only in FBI history, but probably in DOJ history as well.”
So far, federal prosecutors have charged at least 172 people for their alleged roles in the riot and opened more than 400 investigations into possible criminals.
As law enforcement officials continue to put together suspected attackers, CBS News has learned of the people arrested:
How many have been charged?
As of Friday, authorities have indicted at least 172 people in federal court, and at least 13 of them have also been indicted by grand juries.
How many served in the military?
At least 15 of those arrested are veterans and two are currently serving in the Army Reserve, according to military service records obtained by CBS News.
Of the 17, seven served in the U.S. Army, seven in the Marines, two in the Navy and one in the Air Force.
The Army Reserve shared the following statement with CBS News: “The U.S. Army Reserve takes all allegations of civilian or military involvement in extremist groups seriously and will address this issue in accordance with military regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice for Rights. “Extremist ideologies and activities are directly against our values and beliefs and those who support extremism have no place in our ranks.”
Where do they come from?
The rioters come from at least 39 states outside Washington, DC Among those arrested whose homelands were known, most were from Texas and New York, with 18 Texans and 14 New Yorkers so far. Other well-represented states include Florida, with 13 arrested, and California with 11 arrested. New Jersey has nine arrests, and Virginia has eight.
How many worked in law enforcement?
At least four people were working as law enforcement officers when they allegedly took part in the riot, and all have since left their jobs. Houston Police Officer Tam Dinh Pham and Correctional Police Officer Marissa Suarez both resigned after being arrested, and two Virginia police officers were fired after prosecutors charged them with their alleged actions at the Capitol.
How many have extremist connections?
Authorities have linked at least 22 suspected rioters to extremist groups, including the Proud Boys, Eath Keepers, Three Percenters, Texas Freedom Force and conspiracy group QAnon.
How many were women?
While those arrested in the mob on January 6 were mostly men, at least 20 women were arrested for their alleged participation.
How old were those arrested?
Among the 46 accused whose age is known, the average age was 42. The latest known alleged riot is 20-year-old Emanuel Jackson, a man from Maryland who, according to prosecutors, beat police officers with a bat. The oldest was 70-year-old Lonnie Coffman, an Alabama man who, according to authorities, brought a car full of guns and explosives to Washington, DC.
General charges
A large proportion of the suspected rioters have been charged with minor crimes such as trespassing, but prosecutors plan to add charges for more serious crimes as evidence becomes available. Sherwin said that ‘almost all’ are the cases where federal prosecutors have charged ‘significant federal crimes’ with possible sentences ranging from five to 20 years.
Federal prosecutors have charged at least 83 people with “violent trespassing and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds,” a crime that carries a possible sentence of up to six months in prison, or up to five years if accompanied by a gun violation.
At least 15 people have been arrested for allegedly assaulting an officer, a crime with penalties of one to twenty years, depending on the circumstances of the assault. Prosecutors said Tuesday that once they have time to review the body footage, they will charge more people with crimes related to assaulting police.
At least seven people have been charged with theft of government property, including Aaron Mostofsky, who was taken from the U.S. Capitol with a U.S. riot shield and bulletproof vest and sentenced to up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
How many were released?
At least 55 people have been sent home after posting bail or agreeing to supervise release.
How much evidence is there?
Federal law enforcement has issued more than 500 summonses for grand juries and warrants, and the FBI has filed more than 200,000 digital media tips from people hoping to share evidence of the riot.
Recent updates on notable issues
The FBI increase the reward offered for information leading to the arrest of the person or persons who left pipe bombs in Washington, DC on January 6th.
A riot of Capitol, known as the “QAnon Shaman” offered to testify during President Trump’s upcoming indictment.
A federal judge on Sunday blocked the release of alleged riot Eric Munchel, known as the “zip zip guy”, on social media after a photo showed him wearing plastic shackles and tactical equipment.
A New York man was charged Monday after people from his city recognized a fresh jacket in high school he allegedly wore for the riot in Capitol.
What happens next?
Sherwin said Tuesday that the quick arrest will soon begin to flatten as prosecutors move away from the easily-identifiable “internet stars” who have appeared on photos and on social media and begin building more complex conspiracy cases related to the coordination of militia groups during the attack.
Paulina Smolinski reported.