Michigan man pleads guilty to assaulting officers during January 6 Capitol breach

A Michigan man pleaded guilty on Wednesday to assaulting law enforcement officers during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Logan James Barnhart, 41, of Holt, Michigan, pleaded guilty to assaulting law enforcement officers with a dangerous weapon.

On January 6, 2021, Barnhart was part of a mob that confronted officers at the Archway leading into the Capitol from the Lower West Terrace, according to court documents.

At 4:27 p.m., as another rioter began hitting at an officer with a crutch, Barnhart climbed over a banister and up a set of steps leading to the Archway, reports said.

As the previous rioter grabbed an officer, first by his baton and then by his helmet and neck of his ballistic vest, Barnhart also allegedly grabbed the neck of the officer's ballistic vest.

Barnhart and the other rioter then dragged the officer down the steps and into the crowd, where other rioters beat the officer with weapons which included a flagpole and a baton, reports said.

At 4:32 p.m., Barnhart returned to the Archway and allegedly pushed other rioters into a line of police officers.

He then approached the line and struck at the officers with the base of a flagpole, according to reports.

Barnhart was arrested on August 17, 2021.

He will be sentenced on March 9, 2023.

Barnhart faces a maximum of 20 years in prison in addition to potential financial penalties.

Since January 6, 2021, more than 870 people have been arrested for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol. Of that, over 265 have been charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

This is an ongoing investigation.