WASHINGTON — A Kentucky man pleaded guilty today to a felony charge for his actions during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 2021. Kurt Peterson, 66, of Hodgenville pleaded guilty in the District of Columbia to engaging in physical violence in a restricted building or grounds while using a dangerous or deadly weapon. 

What You Need To Know

  • Kurt Peterson, 66, of Hodgenville, Kentucky, pleaded guilty in the District of Columbia to engaging in physical violence in a restricted building or grounds while using a dangerous or deadly weapon

  • According to court documents, Peterson used a stick to shatter the left pane of an exterior window of the Capitol Building, and then used his fist to further break the glass

  • Peterson then entered the Capitol, walked through the area known as the Speaker's Lobby and remained there until law enforcement forced members of the crowd out of the building

  • Peterson faces a statutory maximum of 10 years in prison. He is one of 19 Kentucky residents charged in connection with the Jan. 6 riot

According to court documents, on Jan. 6, 2021, Peterson attended a rally near the Ellipse and then headed to the U.S. Capitol, where he illegally entered the grounds. At one point, he stood near a line of law enforcement officers who were outside the Capitol Building. He approached the Capitol carrying a pointed wooden stick. He used the stick to shatter the left pane of an exterior window of the Capitol Building and then used his fist to further break the glass. While smashing the window, Peterson declared, “This is our house! Let us in! Our house!” The cost of repairing the window is estimated to be over $2,700.

Peterson then entered the Capitol at approximately 2:42 p.m. He walked through the building to the area known as the Speaker’s Lobby, where others in the crowd were shouting and banging on the door. He remained in that area until law enforcement officers forced members of the crowd out of the building.

Peterson was arrested on June 16, 2021, in Hodgenville. A sentencing date has not yet been set. He faces a statutory maximum of 10 years in prison, as well as potential financial penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section. The case is also being investigated by the FBI’s Louisville Field Office and the FBI’s Washington Field Office, which identified Peterson as #313 on its seeking information photos.

In the 20 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 870 individuals have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including over 265 individuals charged with assaulting of impeding law enforcement. Peterson is one of 19 Kentucky residents charged in connection with the Jan. 6 riot. 

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