An Illinois man pleaded guilty today to assaulting law enforcement
during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. His 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.
Quinn Keen, 36, of Manteno, Illinois, pleaded guilty
today in the District of Columbia to a felony offense of assaulting,
resisting, or impeding certain officers. U.S. District Judge Timothy J.
Kelly scheduled sentencing for June 27, 2024.
According to court documents, on Jan. 6, 2021, Keen
entered the restricted permitter of the U.S. Capitol at approximately
1:14 p.m. and made his way to the Lower West Terrace of the Capitol
grounds. Here, U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) and Metropolitan Police
Department (MPD) officers had formed a police line behind bike rack
barricades to restrict the crowd from further advancing on the
restricted area.
While on the Lower West Terrace, Keen confronted the
police line and threw a water bottle and its contents at the officers.
Moments later, other rioters had pulled a bike rack barricade from the
police line to the ground. An MPD officer then bent over and attempted
to pick the barricade up when Keen moved forward and shoved the officer
with both of his hands, making physical contact and pushing the officer
backward.
Keen then backed away and, approximately one minute
later, threw a metal travel mug at other officers in the police line.
The mug struck a plexiglass riot shield being held by one of the
officers, deflected, and fell to the ground.
Keen remained on the West Plaza and was later seen
entering the Capitol building via the Upper West Terrace door at
approximately 2:38 p.m. Once inside, Keen traveled up a staircase and
into the Capitol Rotunda with other rioters. While in the Rotunda, Keen
gathered with other rioters and smoked marijuana. He then exited the
Rotunda, moved towards the Senate chamber, and finally exited the
Capitol about 3:15 p.m. via the East Rotunda Door.
The FBI arrested Keen on April 6, 2023, in Chicago.
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia
and the Department of Justice National Security Division's
Counterterrorism Section prosecuted this case. The U.S. Attorney’s
Office for the Northern District of Illinois provided valuable
assistance.
The FBI’s Chicago and Washington Field Offices
investigated this case. The U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan
Police Department provided valuable assistance.
In the 37 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,313
individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related
to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 469 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.
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