Noah Bacon

A Massachusetts man was sentenced today in the District of Columbia on felony and misdemeanor offenses for his actions during the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol breach. His actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the presidential election.

Noah S. Bacon, 30, of Somerville, Massachusetts, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Christopher R. Cooper to 12 months in prison, two years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $2,000 in restitution.

Bacon was found guilty by a jury on March 3, 2023, of obstruction of an official proceeding, a felony, and the misdemeanor charges of entering or remaining in a restricted building or grounds; disorderly or disruptive conduct in a restricted building; entering and remaining in the gallery of either House of Congress; disorderly or disruptive conduct in a Capitol building; and parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building.

According to the government’s evidence, on Jan. 6, 2021, Bacon was among a mob of rioters illegally on the Capitol grounds. He entered the Capitol building at approximately 2:15 p.m., through the Senate Wing door, and remained inside for about 50 minutes. While inside the building, Bacon moved through areas including the Crypt, Hall of Columns, Rotunda, the East Rotunda Door vestibule area, the Senate Gallery, and the Senate Chamber, where he sat for approximately 10 minutes.

While in the East Rotunda Door vestibule area, Bacon attempted to keep the breached door open as other rioters streamed inside from the East Front. He also used a “Don’t Tread on Me” flag to cover a security camera before proceeding up the Gallery Stairs and onward toward the Senate Gallery hallway. Bacon was among the initial wave of rioters arriving at the Senate Gallery and watched as rioters prevented United States Capitol Police officers from securing the gallery doors. As Bacon entered the Senate Chamber balcony, he unlatched the cam bolt on a second door, facilitating entry for others.

Court documents say that Bacon and the other rioters then maneuvered down to the second floor, gaining access to the Senate Chamber, and found a seat in the back of the chamber, where he remained for approximately 10 minutes as rioters freely roamed the chamber rummaging through desks and paperwork. Bacon exited the Capitol building at approximately 3:06 p.m. 

Bacon was arrested on June 30, 2021, in Somerville, Massachusetts.

This case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts.

This case was investigated by the FBI’s Boston Field Office and Washington Field Office. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.

In the 30 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,069 individuals have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 350 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement. The investigation remains ongoing.    

Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.