Fleetwood man charged in Jan. 6 Capitol riot; he used stun gun on police, attacked news photographer, complaint states
By ANDREW SCOTT
THE MORNING CALL |
JUL 07, 2021 AT 7:01 PM
The FBI has charged a Berks County man caught on video wearing a gray “Kutztown” beanie with attacking a news photographer and assaulting police with a stun gun during the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol riot, according to a U.S. District Court criminal complaint.
Alan Byerly, 54, of Fleetwood was identified as one of the protesters filmed attacking Metro and U.S. Capitol police, according to the June 25 complaint. Byerly wielded a stun gun as he charged at police and continued attacking them after he was disarmed, the document says.
Advertisement
He is charged with assaulting a federal officer, obstructing law enforcement, entering a restricted building, violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds and assault.
A federal magistrate in Allentown ordered Byerly to be jailed pending a detention hearing Monday, according to The Associated Press. Court records don’t list a defense attorney for him.
More than 500 people have been charged with federal crimes in the riots at the Capitol on the day Congress gathered to certify Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 presidential election.
In this Jan. 6 image from video, Alan Byerly, right, is seen allegedly attacking an Associated Press photographer during a riot at the U.S. Capitol in Washington. Byerly was arrested on charges that he assaulted the photographer and police officers. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
In this Jan. 6 image from video, Alan Byerly, right, is seen allegedly attacking an Associated Press photographer during a riot at the U.S. Capitol in Washington. Byerly was arrested on charges that he assaulted the photographer and police officers. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) (Julio Cortez/AP)
According to the complaint:
At 2:10 p.m. on the Capitol Grounds’ Lower West Terrace beside the media tower, police were using bike racks as a barrier against protesters. Byerly is visible in police body camera photos wearing a gray beanie with the word “Kutztown” and a dark-colored facial covering. Byerly lives 5 miles from Kutztown.
Byerly, “seemingly unprovoked,” activated the stun gun, emitting a “clearly audible” electric charge. He then raised his right hand, holding the stun gun, and charged at police.
Police disarmed Byerly, but he continued to hit and push officers and tried taking one officer’s baton.
First Call Newsletter
Daily
Leading local stories delivered on weekday mornings
ENTER YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS
One officer’s body camera footage shows the officer armed with the baton trying to defend himself and restrain Byerly when the officer lost control and fell. Byerly, helped by another rioter, broke free and fled, after which officers recovered the stun gun from the ground.
In addition, according to the complaint, news media footage taken shortly before the 2:10 p.m. assault on police shows Byerly and other protesters pushing, shoving and dragging a man wearing an Associated Press lanyard and carrying a camera near the Lower West Terrace.
On Feb. 3, the FBI posted photos of Byerly on its website and social media. On April 5, someone contacted the FBI and identified the man in the photos as Byerly, the court document says. The tipster said they’ve known Byerly for years and that Byerly told them he was waiting to be arrested because his photo has been publicized, the complaint states.
Cellphone records showed Byerly’s phone was in Washington on Jan. 6, the FBI said. JUST ANOTHER PEACEFUL VISITOR TO THE CAPITOL JANUARY SIXTH.