WASHINGTON – Richard Zachary Ackerman, a 22-year-old from Salem, New Hampshire, has pled guilty to charges related to his involvement in the January 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol breach. Ackerman faces a felony charge of civil disorder and a misdemeanor charge of theft of government property, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.
The events of January 6 disrupted a joint session of Congress that was in progress to certify the 2020 Presidential Election results. Court documents reveal that Ackerman sent messages prior to the riots indicating his intention to participate and acknowledged the risks involved. On the day, he traveled from New Hampshire to Washington, D.C., and engaged in actions that included wearing a stolen U.S. Capitol Police helmet and throwing objects at police officers during clashes.
Following his participation, Ackerman returned to New Hampshire and referred to a stolen helmet as a “war trophy” in messages. This item was later retrieved by authorities from his residence. The FBI arrested him on June 20, 2023. U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Kelly is scheduled to sentence Ackerman on July 25, 2024.