Crime & Safety

A St. Pete Suspect Faces Federal Charges After Police Said He Had Sledgehammer At Capitol

A St. Petersburg suspect is accused of having a sledgehammer and using pepper spray on police at the U.S. Capitol.

Skyla Luckey's profile picture
Skyla Luckey, Patch StaffVerified Patch Staff Badge
Zachary Johnson, 33, of St. Petersburg faces federal charges after police said he brought pepper spray and a sledgehammer with him into the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
Zachary Johnson, 33, of St. Petersburg faces federal charges after police said he brought pepper spray and a sledgehammer with him into the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. (Pinellas County Jail )

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — A St. Petersburg man was arrested Thursday on federal charges for entering the Capitol grounds Jan. 6, 2021, during the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, WFLA reported.

Zachary Johnson, 33, is accused of using pepper spray against police officers. Johnson is also accused of having a sledgehammer with him during the violence on that day. The charges originated in Washington, D.C.

According to the TV station, Johnson is scheduled for a hearing on Jan. 20. He was taken to the Pinellas County Jail and released on bond.

Find out what's happening in St. Petefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

More from St. Pete