An Oregon man, David Medina, found himself in legal trouble after being arrested in Portland on Friday, February 16, for his alleged involvement in the Jan. 6 Capitol breach. The 34-year-old is facing serious charges for his actions during the insurrection, particularly for reportedly smashing a wooden “Speaker of the House Sign” inside the Capitol.
Medina, a resident of Sherwood, Oregon, is charged with a felony offense of obstruction of an official proceeding, as well as several misdemeanor offenses. These include destruction of government property, entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly conduct in a Capitol building, and parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building.
According to court documents, it is alleged that Medina was part of a group that unlawfully entered the U.S. Capitol building on Jan. 6, 2021. He was identified in open-source images and video footage standing in a hallway outside the office of the Speaker of the House. In the footage, he appears to be slamming a wooden sign above the Speaker’s office, which read “Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi,” in an attempt to break it. Subsequent images show him next to rioters holding up pieces of the shattered sign, with partial lettering visible.
In the 37 months since the tumultuous events of January 6, 2021, over 1,313 individuals across almost all 50 states have been charged for offenses connected to the breach of the U.S. Capitol. Among these individuals, more than 469 are facing accusations of assaulting or obstructing law officers, which is considered a felony offense.
The legal repercussions stemming from the Capitol breach have been widespread and ongoing, with law enforcement agencies diligently pursuing those involved in the unprecedented attack on the Capitol. The charges levied against these individuals reflect the severity of their alleged actions and the impact they had on law enforcement personnel during the chaotic events of that day.
As the legal process unfolds and more individuals are held accountable for their roles in the Capitol breach, the number of charges and prosecutions is expected to continue to rise. The pursuit of justice for the events of January 6, 2021, serves as a stark reminder of the importance of upholding the rule of law and ensuring accountability for those who engage in unlawful acts that threaten the foundations of democracy.
