WASHINGTON, D.C. — A Canton resident pleaded guilty to a felony charge for his actions during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

John Douglas Wright, 55, pleaded guilty in the District of Columbia to obstruction of an official proceeding, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office.

What You Need To Know

  • John Douglas Wright, 55, of Canton pleaded guilty in the District of Columbia to obstruction of an official proceeding

  • Wright organized two charter buses which he owned to travel to Washington D.C. on Jan. 6, 2021

  • Wright and others pushed against a metal barricade against federal law enforcement officers to break through the security perimeter

  • Once inside, he walked through the rotunda, took video, posted to Facebook Live and smoked a cigarette before leaving.

According to court documents, Wright organized two charter buses, which he owned, to travel to Washington D.C. on Jan. 6, 2021. There were approximately 100 people who traveled on the buses which were parked at Union Station in Washington. 

Wright and the group walked to the U.S. Capitol, where he illegally entered the grounds. 

Wright and others pushed against a metal barricade against federal law enforcement officers to break through the security perimeter and advance toward the Capitol. He took a break and about 15 minutes later; the crowd pushed through the eastern barriers. Wright then entered the Capitol Building where, once inside, he walked through the Rotunda, took video, posted to Facebook Live and smoked a cigarette before leaving.

He made multiple statements on social media, including, “SET ON NICE BENCH IN ROTUNDA AND HAD A SMOKE,” “YESTERDAY WAS A PRACTICE RUN,” and “I THINK WE NEED TO MAKE HOME VISITS.”

He was arrested May 3, 2021 in Canton and will be sentenced on Nov. 28, 2022. Wright faces a statutory maximum of 20 years in prison and potential financial penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Justice Department’s National Security Division are prosecuting the case, with help provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio.

The FBI’s Cleveland Field Office and its Canton Resident Agency are investigating the case with help from the FBI’s Washington Field Office, the Canton Police Department, the Stark County, Ohio, Sheriff’s Office; the Jackson Township, Ohio, Police Department; the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.

Since Jan. 6, 2021 more than 850 individuals have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol with more than 260 people charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement.         

To give a tip call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.