Illinois Man Pleads Guilty to Assaulting Law Enforcement During Jan. 6 Capitol Breach

            WASHINGTON – An Illinois man has pleaded guilty to two felony charges, including assaulting law enforcement during the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol. 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 2020 presidential election.

            Joseph Bierbrodt, 55, of Sheridan, Illinois, pleaded guilty on Oct. 28, 2024, to obstruction of law enforcement during a civil disorder and assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers, both felony offenses, before U.S. District Judge Christopher R. Cooper. Judge Cooper will sentence Bierbrodt on Feb. 3, 2025.

            According to court documents, Bierbrodt and his brother, William Bierbrodt, attended the “Stop the Steal” rally on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington, D.C., and afterward the two men made their way toward the U.S. Capitol building. The two eventually arrived at the Northwest Terrace and approached the Parliamentarian Door, which was locked to prevent rioters from further accessing the building. William Bierbrodt then used his cane to smash the door window, reach his hand inside, and unlocked the door. With the door now open, Joseph Bierbrodt and other rioters entered the Capitol.

            Immediately upon entering the Capitol, Joseph Bierbrodt grabbed a United States Capitol Police officer by the upper torso and pushed the officer into a wall.  He then spun the officer around and shoved the officer into the arms of another rioter. After the assault, Joseph Bierbrodt moved to a location in the Senate Wing, where he met a line of police officers restricting his access further into the building.

            Joseph Bierbrodt exited the Capitol building at approximately 2:44 p.m. and remained on Capitol grounds until about 5:28 p.m.

            The FBI arrested Joseph Bierbrodt on July 26, 2023, in Sheridan, Illinois.

            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 Northern District of Illinois.

            This case is being investigated by the FBI’s Chicago and Washington Field Offices. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.

            In the 45 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,532 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 571 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, a felony. The investigation remains ongoing.

            Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.