A Kentucky man, Matthew Brent Carver, has pleaded guilty to a felony charge related to his actions during the January 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol. The incident disrupted a joint session of Congress that was convened to certify the electoral votes for the 2020 presidential election.
Carver, aged 50 and from Vanceburg, Kentucky, admitted guilt on December 2, 2024, to obstructing law enforcement during a civil disorder. This plea was entered before U.S. District Chief Judge James E. Boasberg in Washington D.C., with sentencing scheduled for March 5, 2025.
Court documents reveal that Carver traveled from Kentucky to attend a rally in Washington D.C. on January 6, 2021. Following the rally at the National Mall, he moved towards the U.S. Capitol building along Constitution Avenue N.W., entering a restricted area on its West Front and eventually reaching the Upper West Terrace.
At approximately 2:45 pm that day, law enforcement officers from both the U.S. Capitol Police and D.C.'s Metropolitan Police Department were attempting to secure this terrace by forming a police line and ordering protesters to "Move Back!" At around 2:48 pm, as officers approached the northern end of the terrace, Carver took an aggressive stance against them and shouted "Come on! Bring it!"
Carver then engaged physically with an MPD officer by grabbing and attempting to take away the officer's baton while pulling him into a crowd of rioters. He was subsequently pulled back into this crowd but later exited the restricted area.
The FBI arrested Carver on January 30, 2024, in Kentucky. His case is being handled by multiple agencies including the U.S. Attorney's Office for both the District of Columbia and Western District of Kentucky alongside several divisions within the Department of Justice.
This investigation involves efforts from FBI offices in Louisville and Washington as well as support from various law enforcement entities like U.S Capitol Police and Metropolitan Police Department through their Joint Terrorism Task Force initiative.
Since January 6th events unfolded nearly four years ago now; over fifteen hundred individuals have faced charges across most states for crimes linked directly or indirectly with these incidents—over five hundred ninety specifically accused regarding assaults against law enforcement officials—a continuing inquiry remains active today.
For anyone possessing relevant information about these events or related activities can contact authorities via hotline number provided (1-800-CALL-FBI) or through online submission at tips.fbi.gov