Politics & Government

Maryland Man Arrested After Storming Capitol On Jan. 6: DOJ

Nicholas Rodean​, of Frederick, turned himself in to authorities after being photographed at the U.S. Capitol riot on Jan. 6.

Nicholas Rodean​, of Frederick, seen holding a red flag and wearing a red hat, turned himself in after being photographed at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6.
Nicholas Rodean​, of Frederick, seen holding a red flag and wearing a red hat, turned himself in after being photographed at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, File)

MARYLAND — A Maryland man who was fired from his job after wearing his employee ID badge while storming the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 has turned himself in.

Nicholas Rodean, of Frederick, was charged Wednesday with knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without law authority; knowingly, with intent to impede government business or official functions, engaging in disorderly conduct on capitol grounds; and parading, demonstrating, or picketing in the capitol buildings, according to a press release from the U.S. Department of Justice.

Two days after the Capitol attack, Rodean's attorney contacted the FBI and said his client wanted to turn himself in to law enforcement, the release said.

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

The violence that erupted on Jan. 6 began after President Donald Trump urged his supporters to "fight like hell" against the outcome of the 2020 election. It resulted in at least five deaths and drew condemnation from U.S. lawmakers, as well as foreign leaders like British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and French President Emmanuel Macron.

Rodean was fired from his job at Navistar Direct Marketing, which is based in Frederick, soon after being photographed at the Capitol wearing his employee ID badge.

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

"Navistar Direct Marketing was made aware that a man wearing a Navistar company badge was seen inside the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021 during the security breach," Navistar wrote in a statement on Jan. 7. "After review of the photographic evidence the employee in question has been terminated for cause."

Rodean is accused of being one of the thousands of Trump supporters who descended on the nation's capital Jan. 6 to protest the results of the 2020 presidential election. One of the photos appeared to show the unidentified man, donned in Pro-Trump apparel, walking through the Capitol.

"While we support all (employees') right to peaceful, lawful exercise of free speech, any employee demonstrating dangerous conduct that endangers the health and safety of others will no longer have an employment opportunity with Navistar Direct Marketing," the company said.

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