Man accused by striking officer during attack on US Capitol arrested

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ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) – A Michigan man accused of attacking a police officer with a flagpole during an uprising at the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, has been arrested in Florida, officials said.

Jeremy Rodgers, 28, of Midland, Michigan, faces several felony and misdemeanor charges, including assaulting a federal officer with a deadly or dangerous weapon, according to court records. He was arrested on Friday in Orlando, Florida, and made his first court appearance there. The case will be prosecuted in District of Columbia federal court.

According to court documents, Rodgers joined others in protesting Democrat Joe Bidens 2020 election victory over former President Donald Trump. A mob stormed the Capitol to try to prevent Congress from certifying the election results for Biden over Trump, a Republican, authorities said. Five people died in the violence.

According to the criminal complaint, surveillance video shows Rodgers carrying a blue flag attached to a wooden flagpole as he approaches a line of law enforcement officers guarding the East Rotunda Door entrance. Investigators said Rodgers used his flagpole to hit a US Capitol police officer three times in the helmet and then swung the flagpole two more times in the officers’ direction.

Rodgers also used the flagpole to prevent officers from closing the door so he could enter the building, prosecutors said. Once inside, Rodgers removed the railings to allow the rest of the crowd to enter the building, officials said.

Rodgers was part of a crowd that pushed a line of police outside the entrance to the House, investigators said. After another scuffle with police, Rodgers paraded through the Rotunda waving his flag before finally leaving, officials said.

Online court records did not list an attorney for Rodgers who could speak for him.

More than 1,000 people have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for alleged crimes related to the Capitol breach, according to officials. More than 350 people have been charged with assault or obstructing law enforcement.

Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

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