Harford County man arrested in connection with Jan. 6 insurrection
A Harford man has been arrested on felony and misdemeanor charges for his alleged role during the Jan. 6 insurrection of the U.S. Capitol in 2021.
Brandon Heffner, 38, of Harford County, was arrested Tuesday by the FBI in Windsor Mill and will make his initial appearance in Washington.
Following the insurrection, the FBI obtained records showing that Heffner was on the restricted property Jan. 6, 2021, according to court documents. As authorities verified his information, they found that Heffner resembled an unidentified person depicted in a photograph related to an investigation into an assault on a federal officer during the insurrection, the documents say.
On Nov. 30, 2021, the FBI interviewed Heffner in a public parking lot, where he told authorities he admitted to being a former member of the Proud Boys far-right group and to being at the Capitol on January 6, 2021, according to court documents. However, he denied going inside the building and being the unidentified person depicted in the photograph.
Then, FBI found more images and videos showing Heffner’s alleged action during the insurrection. In open-source video footage, Heffner was a part of a group of rioters gathered on the Lower West Terrace of the Capitol, the FBI said in a news release. Heffner allegedly wore a black tactical, a black helmet and a black backpack.
Rioters, including Heffner, physically blocked an exterior door and held it shut to prevent police from exiting to deploy tear gas, according to the FBI. The agency said someone other than Heffner was blocking the door and told another person: “Spread the word. They’re trying to come out and tear gas.”
Several seconds later, the same person yelled, “Hold.” A repetitive tapping sound can be heard on the video, consistent with someone using an object to tap or strike the door numerous times, according to court documents.
The FBI later found out Heffner that was a Proud Boys chapter leader in Maryland who traveled to Washington for the insurrection, according to court documents.
The investigation into Heffner’s alleged actions is still ongoing, and the case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s counterterrorism section.
Heffner waved the right to preliminary hearing but will have a status hearing Feb. 6, 2024, which allows the lawyers to move closer to resolving the case.
Andres Jalon, Heffner’s attorney listed in court records, could not immediately be reached for comment.
In the 34 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,200 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the Capitol, including more than 400 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, a felony.
In August, a Baltimore man was sentenced to 15 months in prison, followed by three years of probation, for his actions in the insurrection.
