Illinois Man Arrested on Felony Charges For Actions During Jan. 6 Capitol Breach

Defendant Accused of Civil Disorder, Assaulting Officers and Throwing Objects at Police

            WASHINGTON — An Illinois man has been arrested on felony charges, including assaulting law enforcement officers, for his actions during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. 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.

            Quinn Keen, 35, of Manteno, Illinois, is charged in a criminal complaint filed in the District of Columbia with: assaulting, resisting, or impeding officers; civil disorder; entering and remaining, disorderly and disruptive conduct, and engaging in physical violence in a restricted building or grounds; and, disorderly conduct; act of physical violence; and parading, demonstrating or picketing in the Capitol grounds or buildings.  He was arrested yesterday in Chicago and made his initial appearance today in the Northern District of Illinois.

            According to court documents, on Jan. 6, 2021, Keen was among a large mass of people on the West grounds of the Capitol advancing toward the Capitol Building.  Keen and others confronted U.S, Capitol Police and Metropolitan Police Department officers who had formed a protective line to stop further advances toward the Capitol.  During this confrontation Keen threw what is believed to be a metal coffee mug at officers on the line, then threw the contents of a water bottle at them, followed by the bottle itself.  Then as a Metropolitan Police Officer moved forward and leaned down, Keen kicked and shoved that officer.

            At approximately 2:38 p.m., Keen entered the U.S. Capitol through the Upper West Terrace doors and eventually made his way to the Rotunda, where he smoked what was referred to on a video as a “joint.”.  He remained in the Capitol Building until approximately 3:15 pm. 

            This 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. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois.

            The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Chicago Field Office and the FBI’s Washington Field Office. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.

            In the 27 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,000 individuals have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 320 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.

            A complaint is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.