Arrest of Florida Man for Role in Capitol Breach on January 6

On January 6, 2021, 38-year-old Michael Hennessey of Palm Harbor, Florida, was arrested on felony and misdemeanor charges connected to the breach of the U.S. Capitol. Hennessey is accused of many misdemeanor infractions and a felony count of civil disorder, according to a criminal complaint that was filed in the District of Colombia.

Hennessey flew from his Florida home to Washington, D.C. to attend the “Stop the Steal” event at the Ellipse, according to court records. After the protest, he marched with the throng to the Capitol, eventually making his way inside through West Plaza. Hennessey is shown on video as one of the first rioters to climb the concrete steps from West Plaza to the Capitol’s Upper West Terrace, when the mob overran police lines and forced them to withdraw.

Few minutes after the first breach, Hennessey entered the Capitol building through the Senate Wing Door. After getting inside, he supposedly followed the throng as they sang slogans and made their way about the structure. He is charged with breaking into the Rotunda and the office of the House Majority Leader, among other parts of the Capitol. Hennessey reportedly had run-ins with U.S. Capitol Police personnel during the incident, which added to the mayhem and disturbance in the structure.

Hennessey is accused of moving with the mob across restricted parts of the Capitol and shoving at law enforcement officials, according to the criminal complaint. Hennessey stayed in the Rotunda until law authorities took back control of the area, despite police orders to leave. Then he left the Capitol building and stayed on the forbidden grounds, interacting with protestors even more.

Hennessey’s case is being prosecuted by the Counterterrorism Section of the Department of Justice National Security Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. Investigating the case have been the Metropolitan Police Department, the U.S. Capitol Police, and the FBI’s Tampa and Washington Field Offices.

As more people are accused in relation to the Capitol breach, Hennessey’s arrest emphasizes the continuous attempts to bring accountable those who assaulted or hampered law officials. Authorities are asking everyone with pertinent information to come forward and help guarantee justice is done as the investigation goes on.

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Notably, even though Hennessey has been charged, all defendants are deemed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.