Louisiana man arrested for involvement in Jan. 6 Capitol riot

Louisiana man arrested for involvement in Jan. 6 Capitol riot

A Slidell, La., man was arrested by federal agents Friday and charged in connection with the rioting at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Charles Tyler Himber, 30, became the eighth person from Louisiana and third from St. Tammany Parish charged for their roles in the Jan. 6 riot, according to NOLA.com.

Henson is charged with a federal felony offense of civil disorder, as well as multiple misdemeanors, including knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority; disorderly or disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds; disorderly or disruptive conduct in a Capitol building; and parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building.

According to federal court documents, Himber attended the “Stop the Steal” rally, during which then-President Donald Trump urged attendees to march on the Capitol in demonstration of their opposition to the election of Joe Biden, Himber trespassed over a restricted perimeter and made his way to the east side of the Capitol, where he tried to enter the building through the East Rotunda Doors.

Once there, he and other rioters tried to push past police and into the building. Initially, police were able to push the rioters back and close the doors, with Himber screaming “Let us in!” based on photos and videos taken at the scene.

Several minutes later, Himber and other rioters managed to push past police and into the building. From there, Himber and others forced their way into the Rotunda before police were able to close the doors. At that point, Himber and others were surrounded by police and escorted out of the Capitol.

Once outside, Himber climbed atop an armored law enforcement vehicle and also screamed at someone filming the scene “You’re not f—— safe!” The two other St. Tammany Parish residents arrested in the case also jumped on the armored vehicle, according to NOLA.com.

Himber bragged of his actions on Jan. 6 in multiple media posts, both before, during and after the riots. In one post, he wrote “Storm in Capitol Hill is a go… drain the swamp manually… Evacuating Capitol Hill push back.”

Posts during the riot included Himber writing “We’re in” and “Making history.” Those posts to his Facebook page ultimately drew the attention of the FBI. They were still on Facebook as of Friday.

Himber was taken into custody in Golden Meadow in southernmost Louisiana and is awaiting an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in the Eastern District for Louisiana. If convicted of the felony charge of civil disorder, he faces up to five years in prison.

Since the Jan. 6 riot, more than 1,300 suspects from nearly all 50 states have been charged for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said. Nearly 470 of those have been charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, a federal felony.