A Las Vegas man pleaded guilty on Monday to felony charges for his actions at the Jan. 6 breach of the U.S. Capitol.
Nathaniel DeGrave, 32, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding and assaulting, resisting or impeding officers. He agreed to cooperate with the federal investigation as part of the deal.
Court records state he and a Tennessee man, Ronald Sandlin, planned to interfere with the transition of presidential power, beginning in December 2020.
He traveled with Sandlin and Josiah Colt of Idaho to the Capitol wearing protective gear, including a can of bear spray and his walkie-talkie. Authorities say he entered the Capitol building through the upper west terrace door.
"While inside, Sandlin and DeGrave pushed against officers guarding an exterior door to the Capitol Rotunda, slowly forcing the door open and letting a mob stream inside. DeGrave shouted, “get the f--- through” and “kick [the door] the f--- open.” The three men then went together up a set of stairs and to a hallway outside the Senate Chamber. DeGrave joined in a shoving match with officers struggling to guard the doors to the Senate Gallery. The three then gained access to the Senate Gallery. While there, DeGrave shouted to others on the Senate floor to “take laptops, paperwork, take everything …," read a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Colt pleaded guilty in July 2021. Sandlin has pleaded not guilty on all charges. DeGrave faces up to 20 years in prison for his first charge and eight for the second. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
Since Jan. 6, 2021, 840 people have been arrested in almost every state.
