Mississippi Coast man arrested on four federal charges related to 2021 US Capitol riot
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A South Mississippi business owner is the latest person arrested on federal charges in connection with the riot and breach at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
James Allen Knowles, 63, the owner of Knowles Construction, Inc., in Saucier, appeared in federal court in Gulfport on Tuesday for an initial appearance on four federal charges.
According to a criminal complaint, Knowles was arrested on four charges, identified as illegal entry into a restricted building or grounds, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly conduct in a Capital building or grounds and parading, demonstrating or picketing on Capitol grounds.
Knowles, who had on work boots, a light blue t-shirt and jeans when U.S. Marshal’s escorted him into court, lives in Pass Christian, according to records.
He was arrested Tuesday on the charges outline in a criminal complaint filed against him in Washington, D.C. He is one of more than 1,000 people who have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach at the Capitol building, according to the FBI.
The rioters were attempting to interrupt the certification of 2020 election results after President Joe Biden defeated former President Donald Trump, who has also been indicted on charges related to the breach.
Coast man storms through doors at Capitol, records say
According to the criminal complaint, a public review of video obtained by federal investigators showed Knowles on Capital Police security camera footage and in public photos and videos entering the Capital through what is described as the Parliamentarian Door at the Capitol.
He entered the door around 2:48 p.m. and is seen leaving two minutes later at 2:50 p.m. on Jan. 6, 2021.
In addition, authorities traced three calls Knowles made to cell towers in Washington D.C. and determined he made one call to U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker’s officer, a second call to U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde Smith,’s office and made a third call from a pizza place on Pennsylvania Avenue on Jan. 6, 2021.
After his initial court appearance Tuesday, Assistant U.S. Attorney Lee Smith did not object to a request for a unsecured $25,000 bond for his release pending a detention hearing later in the week.
The specifics about the alleged crimes did come out in court Tuesday, but were later outlined in court documents reviewed by the Sun Herald.
At the podium in the courtroom Tuesday, Knowles was standing with his attorney when he said, ‘It is what it is. It’s all about money.”
All of the crimes are misdemeanor offenses.
