Tulsa Attorney Breaks Down Charges US Capitol Rioters Could Face

As many wonder if any of those arrested or charged following Wednesday’s attack on the U.S. Capitol will spend time behind bars, a Tulsa attorney breaks down possible charges they could face.

Tulsa attorney Wes Johnson said these rioters could face felony murder charges, which says if you are committing a felony and someone dies, you could be charged with their death.

"It's incorrect to call them protesters, they're not, they're insurrectionists, seditionist and traitors," Johnson said.

Johnson is a defense attorney and said those rioters could face fines to decades in prison. Johnson explained the crimes range from damaging federal property to carrying weapons on federal property. He adds there is the possibility some rioters could also be charged with felony murder after five people died in the chaos. 

"Because if anybody dies during the commission of any felony that occurred at the capitol building there's a possibility, they could stretch it out to felony murder," Johnson said.

U.S. Attorney Trent Shores said there was nothing wrong with Oklahomans going to D.C. unless they broke the law. He says in a statement,

“The violence committed this week at our Nation’s Capitol Building and surrounding areas was illegal and an affront to an American institution of democracy and rule of law.

At this time, the Department of Justice and FBI are requesting the public’s assistance to identify individuals who may have taken part in violent or destructive acts on the U.S. Capitol. If, after investigation, the FBI finds substantial and credible evidence that individuals from the Northern District of Oklahoma planned to commit violent acts against the Capitol and travelled to Washington, DC, with the intent to carry out those acts, or committed unlawful acts of violence, the U.S. Attorney’s Office stands ready to bring charges against those individuals, or to assist the District of Columbia U.S. Attorney’s Office in prosecuting acts over which it has primary jurisdiction. If any Oklahoman has information to help identify individuals participating in rioting or violence in or around the U.S. Capitol building, the FBI urges you to submit information, photos, or videos that could be relevant to tips.fbi.gov or call 1-800-CALL-FBI.

Because the FBI’s investigation into these attacks is ongoing, we cannot comment further. I want to be clear that any criminal investigation will pertain to suspected or alleged criminal conduct. It was not a crime for Oklahomans to travel to Washington, DC, to participate in constitutionally protected activities, such as peaceable assembly or a political rally.” 

U.S. Attorney Brian Kuester also sent News on 6 a statement:

"The FBI and other federal agencies are investigating the egregious events at our nation’s capital on January 6, 2021. If the Eastern District of Oklahoma is the proper venue for prosecuting anyone who committed criminal acts related to those events, the U. S. Attorney’s Office will prosecute them."

Johnson also said due to the thousands of people who were at the capitol, he said it could take years for the FBI to find and charge them.

"I wouldn't be surprised if there's not a movement in the coming administration saying we got to do something about this, they've got to do something," Johnson added.

The FBI is actively searching for those who participated in the riot. If you have information, videos and photos that could be helpful, you can call the FBI at 1-800-225-5324