CLEVELAND — A Canton man is now in federal custody in connection with his alleged role in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.
The arrest of Clay Norris, 48, is just the latest among Ohioans accused of taking part in the riot more than three years ago. Since that time, the U.S. Department of Justice says it has arrested more than 1,300 people nationwide believed to have taken part in the pro-Donald Trump mob that sought to prevent Congress from certifying President Joe Biden's victory in the 2020 election.
In Norris' case, prosecutors with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia claim photos showed him near the barricades outside the East Front of the Capitol on the day in question, shouting into a megaphone things like, "Stop the steal!," "Whose house?" and "Fight for Trump!" At one point, authorities say Norris told a member of the crowd, "I got bad news. We're pushing through. You better get down with us or back off because we're pushing through."
Per officials, Norris then pushed the metal barricades against Capitol Police officers, breaching the line before yelling to law enforcement, "We don't want you guys. We want them," referring to members of Congress inside conducting the final election certification. As officers attempted to marshal the mob, the crowd continued to push on the barricades, with Norris allegedly moving fencing to help them get through.
After becoming "one of the first rioters to reach the East Central Steps of the Capitol," Norris is said to have yelled to police, "Send those motherf---ers out to talk to us," again referring to lawmakers. Prosecutors say he then helped surround police near the Rotunda while rushing the building, screaming "Push forward!" while pushing against an officer's shield. He and others only dispersed when law enforcement deployed tear gas.
Though Biden's win was eventually certified, the deaths of five people (including a Capitol Police officer) were directly attributed to the failed insurrection. A number of police officers also died by suicide in the immediate aftermath of the attack, with the DOJ since ruling at least one of those deaths to have been "in the line of duty" due to the trauma of that day.
Former President Trump, who has continued to falsely state that the 2020 election was "rigged" against him, has himself been charged for his alleged actions in the leadup to Jan. 6 and has pleaded not guilty. Multiple independent and even conservative-leaning investigations have upheld Biden's victory as legitimate.
As for Norris, he faces a felony charge of civil disorder along with misdemeanor charges of entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, engaging in physical violence in a restricted building or grounds, and act of physical violence in the Capitol grounds or buildings. He was arrested Friday in Ohio and was expected to appear later today in U.S. District Court.
You can view the full criminal complaint against Norris below, along with photographs purportedly showing him during the insurrection: