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U.S. Capitol building, Jan. 6, 2021 -
Michael Marroquin
A Nederland man has been arrested on felony and misdemeanor charges related to his actions during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, according to a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) press release.
“His actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the presidential election,” stated the FBI.
Michael Marroquin, 63, is charged in a criminal complaint filed in the District of Columbia with a felony offense of obstruction of an official proceeding.
In addition to the felony, Marroquin is charged with several misdemeanor offenses, including entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds; disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds; entering and remaining on the floor of Congress; disorderly conduct in a Capitol building; impeding passage through the Capitol grounds or buildings; parading, demonstrating, or picketing in any of the Capitol buildings.
Marroquin was arrested on July 27 in Nederland and made his initial appearance on July 28 in the Eastern District of Texas.
According to court documents, Marroquin traveled from his home in Nederland to Washington, D.C, to attend a rally on Jan. 6, 2021.
After the rally, Marroquin marched with others to the U.S. Capitol building and entered at approximately 1:20 p.m. through the Senate wing door.
A series of recordings on Marroquin’s phone reportedly captured his movements throughout the Capitol that day. In one such recording, as Marroquin approached the Crypt, he stated: “I wanna tell you something. You arrest me, but this is our House! No! You’ll never take our . . . We’re not silent anymore, understand?!”
As the crowd he’s with reaches a line of officers, Marroquin can then be heard yelling, “Keep moving!”
Court documents allege that one video on Marroquin’s phone was filmed from directly outside the House Chamber, looking through the broken door and into the faces of law enforcement with their weapons drawn and aimed back at the camera. Marroquin attempted to engage the officer in conversation, eventually shouting, “You’re a traitor!”
Marroquin reportedly exited the Capitol building at approximately 2:31 p.m., after an hour of trespassing.
The 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. Assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Texas.
In the 30 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,069 individuals have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 350 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.