More than 535 arrested, over 300 yet to be identified in Capitol riots case, says DoJ
The FBI is still seeking hundreds of participants in the 6 January attack
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Six months after the deadly Capitol riot, more than 535 people have been arrested for participating in the event, and another 300 are still being hunted by the FBI.
CBS News reports that more than 200 of the remaining 300 the FBI is searching for are believed to have assaulted Capitol police during the insurrection.
Last month, FBI Director Christopher Wray said the investigation was "far from over”, with prosecutors describing the case as "likely the most complex investigation ever prosecuted by the Department of Justice”.
Thus far, only 18 of the 535 defendants that have been arrested have pleaded guilty to the charges brought against them. At least 201 of the defendants were indicted by grand juries, according to an analysis by CBS News.
In addition to the charges being brought against the participants in the Capitol riot, investigators are trying to build a conspiracy case against groups that planned to incite the riot, including extremist right-wing gangs like the Proud Boys and the Oath Keepers.
Thus far, three Oath Keepers have taken deals to cooperate with the investigation.
The charges brought against the defendants range from assault on police officers to the destruction of property at the Capitol. Conspiracy charges have also been brought against some of the defendants.
More than 50 people have charged with using a deadly or dangerous weapon or for causing seriously bodily injury to an officer.
According to CBS News, more than 150 officers were injured during the insurrection, according to sources from the Capitol Police union and Metropolitan Police Chief Robert Contee.
In addition to those who assaulted officers, six people have been arrested on charges that they assaulted media members or destroyed their equipment during the attack.
A huge portion of the defendants, 495, were charged with entering or remaining in restricted buildings or grounds, with more than 55 charged with entering the Capitol with a dangerous or deadly weapon.
The defendants also include dozens of former military members. There are thus far 56 defendants with military backgrounds, one of which is an active duty service member. Four are current but part-time military members of the army reserve of national guard, and 50 are veterans.
There are 25 former US marines, 21 former army soldiers (including a former Green Beret), two navy members and two air force airmen.
Police officers also made up a portion of the alleged riot participants. There are 12 defendants who are either former or current law enforcement officers who participated in the attack. Of the six officers who were active law enforcement officials at the time of the attack, five have lost their jobs.
The FBI is still seeking hundreds of defendants, and has received more than 270,000 digital media tips since the investigation began.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments