A Florida man has been arrested for allegedly assaulting law enforcement and other charges related to his alleged conduct during the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the alleged actions of George Gonzalez, 46, of Brandon, and others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election.
Gonzalez is charged in a criminal complaint filed in the District of Columbia with felony offenses of assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers, obstruction of law enforcement during a civil disorder, and destruction of government property.
In addition to the felonies, Gonzalez is charged with six misdemeanor offenses, 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, disorderly conduct in a Capitol building, act of physical violence in the Capitol grounds or buildings, parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building.
The FBI arrested Gonzalez on Dec. 9, 2024, in Tampa, Florida and made his initial appearance in the Middle District of Florida.
According to court documents, video evidence, and U.S. Capitol building CCTV footage, Gonzalez entered Capitol grounds on Jan. 6, 2021, via the West Front of the building. His alleged actions that day included breaking a window to gain entry into the building and engaging in confrontations with police officers inside.
At approximately 2:10 p.m., it is alleged that Gonzalez ascended the Senate stairs to the Upper West Terrace, approached the Senate Wing Door, struck a windowpane, and shattered an adjacent pane on his second strike. At about 2:13 p.m., Gonzalez allegedly climbed into the window frame, kicked the broken glass onto the floor, and entered the Capitol. Court documents say that damage to the window was later assessed at over $1,000 by the Architect of the Capitol.
Inside the building, Gonzalez allegedly joined other rioters at the Crypt, where U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) officers were attempting to block their advance. At around 2:17 p.m., it is alleged that Gonzalez charged at the police line but was intercepted and pushed back by officers. Undeterred, he charged again, and the crowd eventually overwhelmed the police line, pushing further into the building.
Gonzalez and other rioters later moved south, forcing police back past the House Wing Door and through the Hall of Columns. He then proceeded upstairs to the second floor, reaching Statuary Hall by 2:34 p.m. Gonzalez entered the Statuary Hall Connector, which leads to the House of Representatives floor, where he remained for approximately eight minutes.
At approximately 2:55 p.m., Gonzalez exited the Capitol via the Upper House Door as part of a group escorted out by police officers who had formed a line. In total, Gonzalez spent about 42 minutes inside the Capitol building.
In the 47 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,572 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 590 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.