WASHINGTON — A former business owner from Swansea, Massachusetts, has been indicted on multiple charges stemming from his alleged participation in the January 6 Capitol riots. Michael St. Pierre is facing a seven-count superseding indictment that includes a felony charge of civil disorder, according to a document filed Wednesday in the District of Columbia.
The charges against St. Pierre also comprise several misdemeanors: destruction of government property; unauthorized entry into restricted building or grounds; disorderly and disruptive behavior in a restricted setting; physical violence in a restricted building; disorderly conduct in a Capitol building; and committing an act of physical violence on Capitol grounds.
Court documents reveal that St. Pierre traveled from Massachusetts to Washington, D.C., to join the riot. A video from the day allegedly captures him near the Capitol saying he hoped to see the crowd break through so he could “rush the Capitol, to grab Nancy Pelosi by the hair.”
Further video evidence reportedly shows St. Pierre actively participating in the violence, throwing an object through the Capitol’s inner doors and urging others to breach police barricades. Another clip appears to show him persuading fellow rioters through a megaphone to storm the building, proclaiming, “We need everybody, let’s get in the Capitol.”
This serious breach of law is being prosecuted jointly by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, along with the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section. The indictment followed thorough investigations led by the FBI’s Boston Field Office, with significant cooperation from the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.
The legal process points to the broader implications of the January 6 events, highlighting ongoing concerns about the security of national institutions and the radicalization of political protests in the United States.
Legal experts suggest that the combined weight of felony and misdemeanor charges could lead to severe penalties for St. Pierre, reflecting the gravity of the offenses and the government’s commitment to holding riot participants accountable. This case continues as part of a series of investigations and indictments that have followed the Capitol riots.
As the judiciary presses on with these cases, the ripple effects are palpable across political, legal, and social spheres, underscoring the enduring impact of that day on American democracy. The proceedings against St. Pierre and others serve not only as legal reckonings but also as focal points for national reflection and discourse on civic responsibility.