Feds Charge Tuscaloosa Man For Role In Jan. 6 Attack On U.S. Capitol

TUSCALOOSA, AL — A Tuscaloosa man has been charged after participating in a violent riot and attempted insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

Click here to subscribe to our free daily newsletter and breaking news alerts.

According to court documents obtained by Patch that were filed in May with the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, Tristan Seth Broadrick is charged with the following federal offenses:

• Knowingly Entering or Remaining in any Restricted Building or Grounds Without Lawful Authority.
• Disorderly or Disruptive Conduct in a Restricted Building or Grounds.
• Disorderly or Disruptive Conduct in the Capitol Grounds or Building
• Parade, demonstrate, or picket in any of the Capitol Buildings.

Broadrick, 21, is a native of Tuscaloosa and reportedly attended Holt High School and West Blocton High School, according to his social media pages.

Court filings point out that the Federal Bureau of Investigation has been working to identify and investigate those who participated in the riot, which saw thousands descend on Capitol Hill in a blatant effort to interrupt a joint session of Congress and stop the certification of the 2020 presidential election results.

Broadrick was charged as a participant in the riot after being identified in numerous photos and videos from open sources, CCTV surveillance and body cameras inside the U.S. Capitol.

Federal prosecutors say Broadrick is easily identifiable in the different pieces of evidence due to wearing a grey hooded sweatshirt with a white number "20" on the front and maroon sleeves with stripes down the sides.

Broadrick told investigators that he was in Washington D.C. on Jan. 6, 2021, and attended a speech given by former President Donald Trump. He then said he walked with a crowd to the U.S. Capitol building and admitted to going inside.

Court documents say he also identified himself in several photos and evidence shows that Broadrick entered the Capitol twice on Jan. 6.

He was confirmed to have approached the building from west before proceeding through the Upper West Terrace toward the Senate chamber.

Evidence shows that at approximately 2:55 p.m., he then entered the Senate Wing among a large crowd of rioters and on through a door near the Senate Parlimentarian's office.

Broadrick entered the Senate Parlimentarian's office, before then moving with a crowd down the hallway.

Federal prosecutors say that at 3:05 p.m. Broadrick exited the Capitol Building through the Senate Carriage Doors on the east side of the building. He then reentered through the rotunda doors on east side of the building with a large crowd of rioters.

Law enforcement officers at this time were working to expel rioters from the Rotunda and out through the Rotunda Doors. Photos and video show Broadrick was among those confronted by the line of officers before eventually being directed to exit the building.

An investigation following the attack on the Capitol a search warrant was served on cellular provider AT&T on January 6, 2021, in and around the time of the incident.

Court documents say a cellphone associated with a phone number ending in -2402 was identified as having utilized a cell site consistent with providing service to a geographic area that includes the interior of the United States Capitol building.

Records obtained by federal investigators from AT&T further showed that the phone number was registered to Broadrick's mother at his residential address in Alabama.

What's more, investigators also located a Facebook social media profile under the name "Tristan Broadrick," where he posted on Jan. 6, 2021, "Hey just letting whoever know, I will be going live in Washington D.C later today."

According to the latest numbers from the U.S. Department of Justice, nearly 1,300 defendants have been charged in nearly all 50 states and the District of Columbia following the attack.

Have a news tip or suggestion on how I can improve Tuscaloosa Patch? Maybe you're interested in having your business become one of the latest sponsors for Tuscaloosa Patch? Email all inquiries to me at ryan.phillips@patch.com