Frederick Man Charged in Connection with U.S. Capitol Attack

Introduction

A man from Frederick, Maryland is facing criminal charges for his involvement in the attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. Steven Cook, 24, breached the Capitol building and assaulted law enforcement officers in an attempt to disrupt the certification of the 2020 presidential election, according to federal prosecutors.

Background Information

Various individuals identified Cook from body-camera footage and videos taken at the Capitol on that day. Additionally, screen recordings from Cook’s social media accounts showed him posting videos of himself at the Capitol, as stated in court records.

Charges

Cook is facing two felony counts of assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers and one felony count of obstruction of law enforcement during civil disorder. He is also charged with four misdemeanors, including entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, engaging in physical violence in a restricted building or grounds, and committing an act of physical violence on Capitol grounds or buildings.

Legal Proceedings

Cook was released on his own recognizance after his arrest in September, with a court-ordered curfew in place. His attorney, Alexis Gardner, has not responded to requests for comment. Cook himself declined to comment on his case.

Court Hearing and Job Modification

Cook is scheduled to appear in court on December 15 for a status hearing. Recently, he requested a modification of his curfew to continue working at his new job, which the court granted.

Details of the Attack

According to federal complaints and a press release from the Department of Justice, Cook was part of a group of rioters on the West Plaza of the U.S. Capitol. Video evidence shows Cook pushing and hitting law enforcement officers. Body-camera footage also captured Cook grabbing an officer’s baton and punching another officer.

Additional Actions during the Attack

Cook followed the police as they retreated into the Lower West Terrace Tunnel and continued his assault. He left and returned to the tunnel multiple times, even grabbing a gas mask from someone nearby. Eventually, Cook left the tunnel area at 4:08 p.m.

Similar Case from Frederick

Another person from Frederick, Nicholas Rodean, was previously charged for his involvement in the January 6 attack. He was sentenced to eight months of home detention for his actions, which included breaking a window pane to provide entrance for other rioters.

Department of Justice’s Actions

The Department of Justice has charged over 1,100 individuals in connection with the events of January 6, 2021. More than 396 of those people have been specifically charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement.

Read More of this Story at www.fredericknewspost.com – 2023-10-27 01:05:00

Frederick man accused of involvement in Jan. 6 Capitol attack to face charges | Courts