Arkansas Man Arrested for Assaulting Law Enforcement and Other Offenses During Jan. 6 Capitol Breach

Press Release

WASHINGTON - An Arkansas man has been for allegedly assaulting law enforcement and other offenses related to his alleged conduct during the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol. His 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.

James Edward Porter, 59, of Hot Springs, Arkansas, is charged in a criminal complaint filed in the District of Columbia with felony offenses of assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers and obstruction of law enforcement during a civil disorder.

In addition to the felonies, Porter is charged with several misdemeanor offenses, including knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, engaging in physical violence in a restricted building or grounds, and disorderly conduct in a Capitol building.

The FBI arrested Porter on Jan. 16, 2025, in Benton, Arkansas, and he will make his initial appearance today in the Western District of Arkansas.

According to court documents, on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington, D.C., Porter attended a rally at the Ellipse and afterward made his way to the west side of the U.S. Capitol building and positioned himself at the front of the mob attacking a police line protecting the Inauguration stage. It is alleged that Porter joined the assault.

During the confrontation, Porter allegedly pushed against a police officer and grabbed the officer's baton. As a result, a struggle ensued, and the officer eventually removed Porter's hand from the baton. Porter then allegedly confronted another officer, lunging forward and pushing the officer. Porter continued engaging with police until another rioter deployed an orange chemical irritant, prompting him 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 Western District of Arkansas.

The case is being investigated by the FBI's Little Rock and Washington Field Offices. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.

In the 48 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,583 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 600 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.

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Updated January 17, 2025