An Alabama resident, Robert James Bonham, has been apprehended for allegedly assaulting law enforcement during the January 6, 2021 breach of the U.S. Capitol. Bonham, aged 44 from Wilsonville, faces felony charges including assaulting officers and obstructing law enforcement amid a civil disorder.
He also faces misdemeanor charges such as entering restricted grounds and engaging in physical violence within the Capitol premises. The FBI detained Bonham in Alabama, where he will make his initial court appearance.
Court documents reveal that on January 6, Bonham was seen wielding a flagpole at the Capitol's Upper West Plaza at around 2:32 p.m., as officers retreated under pressure from rioters. It is alleged that when commanded to retreat by officers at approximately 2:33 p.m., Bonham instead thrust the flagpole toward an officer in an apparent attempt to stab him. Body-worn camera footage captured this incident, showing contact between the flagpole and officer.
Following this alleged assault, a struggle ensued as officers attempted to disarm Bonham who reportedly refused to release the weapon despite commands. Eventually regaining control of the flagpole, he returned to the crowd.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section are prosecuting this case with support from their Northern District of Alabama counterparts. The FBI’s Birmingham and Washington Field Offices led investigations identifying Bonham as BOLO #368.
Since January 6, more than 1,561 individuals across nearly all states have faced charges related to Capitol breach offenses; over 590 face charges for assaulting or impeding law enforcement.
The investigation remains active. Tips can be submitted via phone or online through designated FBI channels.
"A complaint is merely an allegation," officials reminded, "and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law."