RI Man Charged In Connection To Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol Breach

NORTH KINGSTOWN, RI — A North Kingstown man was arrested Wednesday in connection to the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, the U.S. Justice Department said.

Bernard Joseph Sirr, 47, was charged with civil disorder, a felony and related misdemeanor charges. He is expected to appear Wednesday at the U.S. District Court of Rhode Island in Providence.

According to court documents, Sirr was among the rioters who illegally entered the Capitol grounds. He joined a line of rioters who were engaged in a confrontation with Capitol Police officers in the tunnel area of the Lower West Terrace, prosecutors said.

At 3:08 p.m., video showed Sirr entering the tunnel. During a video taken inside the tunnel, Sirr is at the front of the police line pushing against rioters who are assaulting officers, prosecutors said. Prosecutors said Sirr pushed against the police line with his hand pressed against a police shield.

He also participated in a confrontation in which a group of rioters chanted "Heave! Ho!" in unison as they moved together as a team against the officer, according to the Department of Justice.

Prosecutors said Sirr left the tunnel around 3:14 p.m. About an hour later, he reappeared at the Lower West Terrace doorway, pushing other rioters who were pushing against police officers, authorities said. Sirr ultimately was ejected from the tunnel area.

In the 17 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 800 people have been arrested in nearly all 50 states in connection to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 250 who were charged with assaulting or impeding police.

The riot left five people dead and injured at least 138 police officers, according to officials.

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