Two Men from Virginia Convicted of Felony and Misdemeanor Charges for Actions During Jan. 6 Capitol Breach

Press Release

WASHINGTON - Two men from Virginia were found guilty on Oct. 29, 2024, of felony and misdemeanor charges related to their actions during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Their 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.

Peter Willey, 37, of Roanoke, Virginia, and Ethan Mauck, 31, of Troutville, Virginia, were both convicted by U.S. District Judge Ana C. Reyes of a felony offense of obstruction of law enforcement during a civil disorder and a misdemeanor offense of disorderly conduct in a Capitol building. Judge Reyes will sentence the two men on Feb. 28, 2025.

According to evidence presented during the trial, Willey and Mauck attended the "Stop the Steal" Rally in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6, 2021, on the National Mall and afterward made their way toward the U.S. Capitol building. In open-source video and photographs, Willey and Mauck are seen entering the restricted grounds of the Capitol and advancing toward bike rack barricades and the police line on the Lower West Plaza.

There, a violent struggle ensued between the rioters and law enforcement, and law enforcement officials deployed pepper spray to disperse the crowd as they attempted to re-establish a police line and barricade. Mauck is seen in an open-source video in distress as he rubs his eyes, consistent with having been struck by pepper spray.

At the Lower West Plaza, as seen on open-source footage, the mob of rioters violently confronted the officers standing guard in the police line. The bike racks became displaced, and a struggle ensued. During the struggle, Mauck picked up a downed police bike rack and shoved it toward an officer dressed in riot gear.

At approximately 1:40 p.m., Willey and other rioters began to move a large sign on wheels with a metal frame towards the police line and barricade, using it as a battering ram against the law enforcement officers attempting to hold the line. As the large sign passed over Willey's head, Willey placed his hands on the billboard's frame and pushed it toward the police line. As the officers gained control of the large metal sign, Willey is seen blocking his face with his arms and running away from an officer who deployed pepper spray at the rioters, including Willey.

At about 2:50 p.m., Willey and Mauck are seen entering the Lower West Terrace Tunnel, the site of some of the most violent attacks against law enforcement on January 6th. Closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage inside the Tunnel depicted rioters, including Mauck and Willey, actively pushing against the police line in unison, known as a "heave-ho."

At approximately 2:55 p.m., Willey grabbed ahold of two police shields from another rioter and passed it forward, further into the Tunnel, and toward the rioters near the police line. At about 2:58 p.m., Mauck, standing at the mouth of the Tunnel, gained control of a large, black speaker and handed it off to the rioters in the Tunnel. Ultimately, that speaker was thrown at the police line by other rioters.

Both Willey and Mauck exited the Tunnel at approximately 3:04 p.m. Both men are later seen in the crowd outside the Tunnel shortly after this incident, watching as other rioters forcibly dragged the two law enforcement officers into the mob.

The FBI arrested the two men on Aug. 31, 2023.

This 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. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Virginia.

This case is being investigated by the FBI's Washington Field Office, which identified Willey as BOLO (Be on the Lookout) #84 on its seeking information photos. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.

In the 45 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,532 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 571 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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Updated October 30, 2024