Ohio Man Arrested for Alleged Role in Capitol Riot
WASHINGTON — An Ohio resident, Jeffrey Newcomb, has been taken into custody for allegedly assaulting law enforcement officers and other related charges stemming from his involvement during the January 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol. This incident disrupted a joint session of Congress assembled to certify the electoral votes of the 2020 presidential election.
Newcomb, 41, hailing from Polk, Ohio, faces serious charges including the felonies of assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers, and obstructing law enforcement during a civil disorder. Additionally, he is charged with misdemeanors for entering or remaining in restricted buildings or grounds, disorderly or disruptive conduct, and disorderly conduct within the Capitol premises.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) apprehended Newcomb in Polk, Ohio. He is scheduled to make his initial court appearance in the Northern District of Ohio.
Court documents reveal that Newcomb allegedly constructed a large custom metal sign measuring 13 feet by 10 feet emblazoned with the word “Trump,” supported by casters the size of a human head. Newcomb reportedly transported this sign from Ohio to Washington, D.C., and participated in the riot at the Capitol.
According to the documents, video footage identified Newcomb carrying the sign onto the Capitol grounds on the morning of January 6. Images place him maneuvering the sign around key locations such as Constitution Avenue, NW, and near the “Stop the Steal” rally close to the White House. Later, Newcomb and others reportedly moved the sign towards the southwest corner of the Capitol grounds, eventually carrying it up the Maryland Walkway, closer to the Capitol building.
Allegations state that Newcomb, alongside others, brought the sign into a mob confronting a police line at the West Plaza. It’s reported that Newcomb and the group proceeded to pass the sign, amidst cheering, towards the police line. Newcomb was seen holding the sign by one of its casters as it progressed.
At approximately 1:40 p.m., the sign reached the police line. It is alleged that Newcomb, with others, attempted to use the sign as a battering ram against the police line. During this attempt, Newcomb fell while ascending the plaza’s steps, momentarily halting the sign’s movement.
After recovering, Newcomb resumed his efforts, helping push the sign towards the police line. Just before impact, he released the sign, allowing the crowd to continue its push. The sign eventually collided with the police line, and Newcomb reportedly assisted other rioters by pushing them forward.
Reports describe the sign as having the potential to cause serious injury due to its size and sharp edges. Police officers managed to remove the sign after a significant struggle, involving over a dozen officers.
Newcomb remained on the West Plaza until after the police line fell around 2:30 p.m., when rioters advanced onto the Inaugural stage.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, along with the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section, is prosecuting the case. Assistance has been provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio.
The investigation is being conducted by the FBI’s Cleveland and Washington Field Offices, with support from the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.
Since January 6, 2021, more than 1,532 individuals have been charged across nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the Capitol breach, including over 571 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement—an offense classified as a felony. The investigation is ongoing.
A complaint is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
