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

            WASHINGTON – An Ohio man pleaded guilty today to 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.

            Clay Norris (a.k.a. “Clayton Norris”), 48, of Canton, Ohio, pleaded guilty to a felony charge of assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers before U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Kelly. Judge Kelly will sentence Norris on May 1, 2025.

            According to court documents, Norris traveled from Ohio to Washington, D.C., and brought a megaphone. Prior to his trip, Norris messaged others on social media, stating “I’m ready to lay it down in jail in D.C. on the 6^th. TRUMP basically saying get wild for are [sic] COUNTRY and freedom’s” and “Heading to D.C., on January 6^th and I’ll be ready for war if need be.”

            After Norris arrived in Washington D.C., he made his way toward the East Side of the U.S. Capitol building and walked behind the barricades that marked the restricted permitter. As he did this, Norris chanted thorough his megaphone at police, stating “We get bad news, let us drain that swamp. All we ask is you walk away. Let us bring it” and “You guys got all kinds of crooks in there you aint arresting right now. Arrest the crooks inside.”

            At about 1:45 p.m., Norris pushed the fencing that formed a barricade against U.S. Capitol Police Officer attempting to prevent rioters from advancing toward the Capitol building. Norris briefly breached the line but was repelled by police. He then shouted, “We don’t want you guys. We want them,” referring to the elected officials inside the Capitol. Norris then encouraged other rioters to “Make a stand.”

            At approximately 2:00 p.m., rioters successfully breached the barricades and Norris made his way toward the Capitol. Norris reached the East Central Stairs and encountered another police line. There, Norris continued to yell at police through his megaphone. The police line eventually was forced to retreat. Norris advanced further toward the Capitol and joined a crowd that had surrounded a group of police officers on the building’s terrace near the Rotunda doors. Norris then yelled to other rioters to “Push forward!”

            While on the terrace, Norris reached out his hand and directly pushed a U.S. Capitol Officer’s shield. Norris then attempted to enter into the building but was repelled as police deployed a chemical irritant.

            The FBI arrested Norris on May 3, 2024, in Ohio.

            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 Ohio.

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

            In the 47 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,572 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 590 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.

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