‘Capitol Smoker’ Jonathan Humphreys Pleads Guilty to Jan. 6-Related Charges
Jonathan Humphreys was dubbed the “Capitol Smoker” by some investigators because he was caught on video smoking a cigarette in the Rotunda.
A San Diego-based founder of a local security company is awaiting sentencing Wednesday after pleading guilty to federal charges for his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol breach.
Jonathan Humphreys, 30, was arrested last January. He was dubbed the “Capitol Smoker” by some investigators because he was caught on video smoking a cigarette in the Capitol Rotunda.
He eventually admitted to entering the Capitol building through a broken window and refusing to leave when police officers attempted to push him and others out of the Rotunda.
THREAD:
A lot of people probably thought Jan. 6 rioter #CapitolSmoker was a Hill staffer when they first saw his image, but he wasn't.
Jonathan Humphreys was arrested in California. pic.twitter.com/oxllFoFL0j— Ryan J. Reilly (@ryanjreilly) January 31, 2024
Humphreys, who was seen on surveillance footage captured by cameras throughout the Capitol, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to counts of disorderly conduct in a capitol building and parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a capitol building.
According to a criminal complaint, Humphreys eventually admitted to an FBI investigator that he had been at the U.S. Capitol that day.
He is set to be sentenced in February by a federal judge in Washington D.C.
Investigators first questioned Humphreys in November 2021. At that point, he claimed that he and several of his employees were in Washington D.C. on Jan. 6 for work purposes on behalf of his company, Humphreys National Security Company.
He declined to elaborate on the nature of his business contract in Washington D.C., citing a non-disclosure agreement. However, he said he had “plans” in case anyone entered the Capitol building, but “plans changed a couple times.”
According to a statement of offense — a court document that outlines the facts around a defendant’s guilty plea — Humphreys attended a rally at the National Mall protesting the certification of the 2020 presidential election results and “knew that Congress was in session that day for that purpose.”
After rioters broke through barricades and entered the Capitol, Humphreys joined them and later jumped through a broken window next to the Senate Wing doors.
He walked through various parts of the building and ended up in the Rotunda, where a line of officers were trying to push the crowd of rioters out of the building.
“When he entered the building, an alarm was blaring loudly. Humphreys knew that he did not have lawful authority to enter the building,” the document states.
The statement of offense says Humphreys turned his back to the officers and refused to move, forcing officers to push him and others back.
Humphreys owns a local security company called Humphreys National Security Company. An archived version of the company’s website describes it as “The Top Tier of Armed Security In The United States.”
City News Service contributed to this report.
What's Your Reaction?
