An Ohio resident has admitted to assaulting law enforcement officers during the January 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol. Clay Norris, also known as Clayton Norris, aged 48 from Canton, Ohio, entered a guilty plea to a felony charge before U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Kelly. Sentencing is scheduled for May 1, 2025.
Court documents reveal that Norris traveled from Ohio to Washington D.C., equipped with a megaphone. Prior to his journey, he communicated via social media with messages such as “I’m ready to lay it down in jail in D.C. on the 6th” and “Heading to D.C., on January 6th and I’ll be ready for war if need be.”
Upon arrival in Washington D.C., Norris approached the East Side of the U.S. Capitol building and moved behind barricades marking restricted areas. He used his megaphone to chant at police officers: “We get bad news, let us drain that swamp,” and accused them of not arresting alleged "crooks" inside.
At approximately 1:45 p.m., Norris pushed against fencing set up by U.S. Capitol Police Officers trying to hold back rioters advancing toward the Capitol building. Although he briefly breached their line, police repelled him. During this time, he shouted at officers saying, “We don’t want you guys. We want them,” referring to officials inside the Capitol.
By around 2:00 p.m., after rioters broke through barricades, Norris advanced toward the Capitol's East Central Stairs where another police line was stationed. He continued using his megaphone until officers were forced to retreat further into the building's terrace near Rotunda doors.
On this terrace area, Norris physically pushed an officer’s shield and attempted entry into the building but was repelled by chemical irritants deployed by police forces.
The FBI apprehended Norris on May 3, 2024, in Ohio following these events.
This prosecution is managed by both the U.S Attorney’s Office for Washington D.C., along with assistance from other agencies including Northern District of Ohio's Attorney Office; while investigations are conducted by FBI Cleveland/Washington Field Offices aided by Metropolitan Police Department alongside USCP efforts too across multiple jurisdictions nationwide post-January sixth incidents since more than fifteen hundred seventy-two persons have faced charges spanning almost all states — notably over five hundred ninety individuals charged specifically relatedly involving assaults against law enforcement under felonious context continuing ongoing inquiries thereof remain active currently still today...
For those possessing relevant information or leads regarding this case may contact authorities via hotline number provided hereinabove likewise accessible online resources available through official channels accordingly thereafter thus facilitating collaborative endeavors aimed towards ensuring justice served duly comprehensively ultimately overall conclusively effectively efficaciously consequently correspondingly henceforth thenceforward thereby...