A Silver Spring man pleaded guilty Wednesday to assaulting law enforcement on Jan. 6, 2021, when he joined others in breaching the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., in an attempt to interrupt the counting of electoral votes in the 2020 presidential election.
Uliyahu Haya, 48, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in D.C. to a felony charge of assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers, according to a news release from the U.S. Department of Justice.
According to court documents, Haya entered the U.S. Capitol building at approximately 2:14 p.m. via the Senate Wing Door. Once inside the building, he also entered the Crypt, Statuary Hall, and the Speaker of the House Lobby.
As Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers were attempting to remove rioters from the Capitol, Haya got involved in a physical altercation started by another rioter, placed his hands on an MPD officer and shoved the officer back several feet, according to the release. He was arrested in Fairfax, Virginia, in August 2021.
Haya is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Carl J. Nichols on Jan. 17, 2025.
Multiple Montgomery County residents have faced charges associated with their involvement in the insurrection. A Bethesda man was sentenced in July to 28 months in prison for his role, and at least five others have faced charges or prison time.
According to Wednesday’s release, more than 1,488 people in nearly all 50 states have been charged for crimes related to the insurrection, which took place more than three years ago. More than 550 individuals have been charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement–which is a felony–and the investigation remains ongoing.
The U.S. attorney’s office asks that anyone with tips about those allegedly involved in the insurrection to call 800-225-5324 or visit tips.fbi.gov.