Michigan Man Pleads Guilty to Felony in U.S. Capitol Breach
WASHINGTON – A Michigan resident has admitted to committing a felony in connection with the January 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol. The incident disrupted a joint session of Congress that was verifying the 2020 presidential election results.
Jason Howland, 47, from Clinton Township, Michigan, pleaded guilty to obstruction of law enforcement during a civil disorder. U.S. District Judge Trevor N. McFadden will sentence Howland on January 10, 2025.
According to court documents, Howland was seen in open-source video footage among a large group of rioters near the scaffolding on the northwest side of the U.S. Capitol. The area was guarded by U.S. Capitol Police officers to prevent unauthorized entry. Howland was observed urging the crowd to advance by shouting, “Let’s go,” and waving his arm forward.
Following his call to the crowd, Howland and other rioters pushed forward, breaking through the police line and moving toward the Capitol. Howland’s actions obstructed and interfered with the duties of the U.S. Capitol Police officers.
Howland then moved to the Upper West Terrace, entering the Capitol through the Senate Wing Door at approximately 2:17 p.m. Once inside, he made his way to the Crypt, where he joined others in chanting and witnessed rioters assaulting police officers. At 2:20 p.m., he received a message informing him that Congress had gone into recess and the House was on lockdown.
At about 2:51 p.m., Howland entered the Capitol Rotunda and saw police attempting to clear the area. He approached the police line and later moved into the East Foyer at around 3:06 p.m., where he yelled at a group of U.S. Capitol Police officers.
Howland left the Capitol at about 3:17 p.m., having spent roughly one hour inside. After exiting, he stayed on the East Plaza, yelling at arriving police officers. At 5:28 p.m., Howland responded to a text asking if ANTIFA had broken into the Capitol, saying, “I’m not going to tell you who specifically. It wasn’t Antifa. It was patriots,” and, “No. Not Antifa. For a fact.”
The FBI arrested Howland on January 24, 2024, in Mt. Clemens, Michigan.
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, with assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan. The investigation is being conducted by the FBI’s Detroit and Washington Field Offices, with support from the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.
Since January 6, 2021, more than 1,488 individuals across nearly all 50 states have been charged with crimes related to the U.S. Capitol breach, including nearly 550 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, a felony. The investigation continues.
