Michigan Man Pleads Guilty to Assaulting Officers During Jan. 6 Capitol Breach

            WASHINGTON — A Michigan man pleaded guilty today to assaulting law enforcement officers and inflicting bodily injury 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.

            Justin Jersey, 32, of Flint, pleaded guilty in the District of Columbia.

            According to court documents, on Jan. 6, Jersey was part of a mob that confronted law enforcement officers at the Archway leading into the Capitol Building from the Lower West Terrace. At approximately 4:26 p.m., Jersey was on the steps leading to the Archway and carrying a large, gnarled stick. He raised the stick behind his head and moved towards the Archway. Jersey eventually gave the stick to another rioter, but at 4:27 p.m., he sprang at the line of officers.

            Jersey charged at a Metropolitan Police Department officer who was positioned at the opening of the Archway, grabbing his face, and knocking him to the ground. Jersey and the officer then grappled over the officer’s baton. Another rioter then kicked the officer, who was still on the ground. As a result of the attack, the officer sustained serious physical injuries, including a laceration to his head, and bruising and abrasions to his body. Jersey, meanwhile, was able to grab another baton and used it to strike other officers in the Archway.

            Jersey was arrested in Flint on Dec. 2, 2021. He is to be sentenced on Feb. 10, 2023. He faces a statutory maximum of 20 years in prison, as well as potential financial penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

            Jersey is among a group of defendants named in an indictment returned in the District of Columbia. Seven others have pleaded not guilty.

            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 Michigan.   

            The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office, which identified Jersey as #106 in its seeking information photos, as well as the Flint Resident Agency of the FBI’s Detroit Field Office. Significant assistance has been provided in the investigation by the Metropolitan Police Department, the U.S. Capitol Police, and other FBI field offices.

            In the 20 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 870 individuals have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including over 265 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.