Michael Hennessey, 38, of Palm Harbor, Florida was arrested on felony and misdemeanor charges related to his actions during the breach of the U.S. Capitol during the Senate’s Presidential Confirmation vote on Jan. 6, 2021. Below is a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office:
Michael Hennessey, 38, of Palm Harbor, Florida, is charged in a criminal complaint filed in the District of Columbia with a felony count of civil disorder. In addition to the felony, Hennessey is charged with misdemeanor counts of entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly or disruptive conduct in a Capitol building or grounds, and parading, picketing, or demonstrating in a Capitol building.
Hennessey was arrested today in Florida and is expected to make his initial appearance in the Middle District of Florida.
According to court documents, Hennessey traveled from his home in Florida to Washington, D.C., to attend the “Stop the Steal” rally at the Ellipse on Jan. 6, 2021. At the end of the rally, Hennessey joined the crowd as they walked to the Capitol and entered the Capitol grounds via the West Plaza. An open-source video shows Hennessey proceeding toward the Capitol building via the northwest stairs. There, he was among the first group of rioters to ascend the concrete stairs from the West Plaza to the Capitol’s Upper West Terrace as the crowd overwhelmed police lines and forced law enforcement to retreat.