Hopkinton Man Charged In Jan. 6 Attack Strikes Deal With Prosecutors

HOPKINTON, RI — The Hopkinton man who was charged in connection with his role in the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol struck a plea deal with prosecutors in which he will plead guilty to one count while prosecutors drop three other counts, WPRI reported.

In the agreement, which was filed Tuesday in Washington, William Cotton agreed to plead guilty to one count of parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building, according to the outlet.

Cotton's other charges, including entering a restricted building or ground, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building, disorderly conduct in a Capitol building or grounds and parading, will be dropped, WPRI reported.

He will be sentenced on Sept. 29.

Read the full report in WPRI.

Court filings obtained by MassLive.com said Cotton was among a group of people that entered the locked Capitol building as the Senate and House of Representatives met in their respective chambers. Once inside the Capitol, Cotton made a phone call, took a video of the mob, and chanted along with other rioters, the report said.

Since the breach, hundreds of people across the country have been charged for attempting to disrupt a joint session of Congress gathered to certify the 2020 presidential election.

Cotton is the third Rhode Island resident to face charges, according to multiple reports.