Father and Son from New Jersey Arrested for Actions During Jan. 6 Capitol Breach

Press Release

WASHINGTON - Two men from New Jersey have been arrested on various felony and misdemeanor charges stemming from their alleged conduct during the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol. Their alleged 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 Andrews, 72, of Brick, New Jersey, is charged in a criminal complaint filed in the District of Columbia with a felony offense of assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers and obstruction of law enforcement during a civil disorder. In addition to the felonies, Richard Andrews is charged with misdemeanor offenses of knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds and disorderly conduct in a capitol building.

Also charged is Keith Andrews, 49, of Howell, New Jersey. Keith Andrews is charged with misdemeanor offenses of knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly conduct in a Capitol building, and parading, demonstrating, or picketing in any of the Capitol buildings.

The FBI arrested the two men today in New Jersey, and they will make their initial appearance in the District of New Jersey.

According to court documents, on Jan. 6, 2021, Richard and Keith Andrews attended the "Stop the Steal" rally at the Ellipse in Washington, D.C., before proceeding to the restricted Capitol grounds. Richard Andrews wore a black zip-up jacket, blue tee, and gray knit skull cap, while Keith Andrews was dressed in a dark gray hoodie, black tee with white lettering, jeans, dark sneakers, and a camouflage "Trump 2020" hat. Keith also carried a camouflage backpack.

Upon arriving at the Capitol, the two men ascended the north scaffolding to reach the Upper West Terrace. At approximately 2:49 p.m., it is alleged that Keith Andrews entered the Capitol through a window near the Senate Wing Door as Capitol Police struggled to hold back the crowd. Keith then momentarily exited, encouraging others to enter, and reentered minutes later. While inside, Keith stayed in the Senate Wing hallway for ten minutes, encouraging additional rioters to come in before leaving the building himself temporarily.

Keith Andrews then reentered the Capitol at about 3:01 p.m., making his way to the Crypt while using his phone. He allegedly remained inside for approximately twelve minutes before exiting at 3:13 p.m. Shortly after, police efforts to secure the Senate Wing intensified, including by closing the shutters on the window Keith had used to enter the building.

Later, at about 3:16 p.m., it is alleged that Richard Andrews threw a chair through the closed shutters, reopening them and striking an officer in the process.

Minutes later, Keith allegedly reentered the Capitol a third time, engaging in a brief dispute with officers trying to clear the building before exiting by 3:20 p.m. Later that afternoon, as officers tried to remove rioters from the Upper West Terrace, Richard Andrews shoved a police officer on the head. In response, officers deployed a chemical agent, causing Richard to retreat into the crowd.

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 District of New Jersey.

This case is being investigated by the FBI's Newark and Washington Field Offices. Valuable assistance was provided by the United States 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.

A complaint is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Updated October 30, 2024