WASHINGTON – A New Hampshire man has been arrested on felony charges, including assault on a law enforcement officer, for his actions during the Jan. 6, 2021, violation of the U.S. Capitol, the Department of Justice.
Richard Zachary Ackerman, 22, of Salem, New Hampshire, is charged in a criminal complaint filed in Washington, DC with assault, resisting or obstructing officers, civil disorder, disorderly and disorderly conduct in a restricted building or grounds, and theft of the government property, the Justice Department said in a statement Tuesday.
Ackerman is accused of throwing an object at police and stealing a U.S. Capitol Police helmet, prosecutors said. He made his first appearance Tuesday in a New Hampshire court.
“His actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the US Congress called to determine and count electoral votes related to the presidential election,” the Justice Department said.
According to court documents, on January 6, 2021, Ackerman “was among a crowd illegally assembled on the Capitol grounds, including on the lower west terrace and near an archway and tunnel leading to the building of the Capitol”. Court records say Ackerman found a U.S. Capitol Police helmet and put it on. Later in the day, while wearing his helmet, Ackerman is accused of throwing a water bottle at the entrance of the tunnel, where there was a line of police officers.
Court records say Ackerman referred to the helmet as his “war trophy” and took the helmet with him to New Hampshire. The FBI recovered the helmet from Ackerman’s home in June 2022.
The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Boston Division and the FBI’s Washington Field Office, with assistance from the U.S. Capitol Police, Metropolitan Police Department, Police Departments of Manchester, New Hampshire and Salem, New Hampshire.
Since January 6, 2021, more than 1,000 people have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the US Capitol breach, including nearly 350 people charged with assaulting or obstructing law enforcement , the Justice Department said. An investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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