A man from Athens was arrested in Flowery Branch Thursday on charges related to his alleged involvement in the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot.
James Maxwell, 20, is charged with assaulting, resisting, or impeding officers, civil disorder, engaging in physical violence in a restricted building or grounds, entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds and act of physical violence in the Capitol grounds or buildings.
Maxwell is accused of physically confronting law enforcement officers in the West Plaza area of the Capitol grounds during the riot, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Columbia.
"He banged his hands and pushed on the riot shield of a U.S. Capitol Police officer as the officer tried to push him away with the shield," the release reads. "He then moved towards an officer with the Metropolitan Police Department and got into a physical struggle with him."
Maxwell allegedly hooked his arm around the officer's baton, but the officer was able to pull his baton away and keep Maxwell away from the line of law enforcement trying to protect the Capitol building. Maxwell grabbed the officer's baton with his left hand and pulled on it during the struggle.
The Hall County Sheriff's Office said in an emailed statement that they accompanied the FBI during the arrest of Maxwell at the FBI's request. Maxwell was reportedly arrested without incident.
The 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. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia also assisted.
Maxwell made his initial appearance Thursday in the Northern District of Georgia. The U.S. Attorney's Office said in an email Maxwell has been released pending further court hearings in the District of Columbia.
More than 725 people have been arrested for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including over 225 who were charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, according to the release.
Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.
