New Hampshire Man Sentenced on Felony and Misdemeanor Charges for Actions During Jan. 6 Capitol Breach

WASHINGTON- A New Hampshire man was sentenced on Aug. 1, 2024, after he previously pleaded guilty to felony and misdemeanor charges related to his conduct during the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol. 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 2020 presidential election.

Richard Zachary Ackerman, 22, of Salem, New Hampshire, was sentenced to 24 months of supervised release with ten months of home detention by U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Kelly. Ackerman previously pleaded guilty to a felony offense of civil disorder and a misdemeanor offense of theft of government property

According to court documents, on Jan. 6, 2021, Ackerman traveled to Washington, D.C., from New Hampshire and sent a text message that read, "Will be going to see the action in these riots/protests" and "[i]f I get shot down there, just remember that I thought highly of you."

Ackerman arrived in Washington, D.C., and soon made his way to Washington Monument and then the U.S. Capitol building. Ackerman walked to the Northwest Plaza of Capitol grounds where he picked up, and put on, a United States Capitol Police officer helmet, labeled "U.S. CAPITOL POLICE" in large white lettering. From here, Ackerman made his way to the Lower West Terrace Tunnel, the site of some of the most violent attacks against law enforcement on January 6th.

By approximately 4:28 p.m., Ackerman joined a large crowd of rioters near the Tunnel entrance and saw rioters fighting with police and felt the effects of OC spray. At one point, Ackerman picked up a water bottle and threw it at officers in the Tunnel.

Court documents say that Ackerman traveled back to New Hampshire on the morning of Jan. 7, 2021, and texted an individual that he "got maced really bad," and that he "was right there, in the eye of it," and that he "was right in the doorway of the building." Ackerman also sent a message that he "stole a SWAT Team officers helmet," which he referred to as a "war trophy." Specifically, Ackerman wrote, "I was there yesterday…& the helmet is my war trophy from the SWAT team."

The helmet was later recovered at his New Hampshire home.

The FBI arrested Ackerman on June 20, 2023, in New Hampshire.

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division's Counterterrorism Section prosecuted this case. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of New Hampshire provided valuable assistance.

The FBI's Boston and Washington Field Office investigated this case. The United States Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department provided valuable assistance.

In the 42 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,470 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 530 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, a felony. The investigation remains ongoing.

Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.

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