Brady Knowlton

Case Summary

Federal prosecutors say Brady Knowlton breached the U.S. Capitol while wearing a "black tactical vest," a green jacket and an American flag neck gaiter. A tipster, who has known Knowlton "for many years," identified him to the government and spoke to federal agents, according to court records. The government alleges that Knowlton can be seen in surveillance footage inside the Capitol, including inside the Senate chamber, and that cellphone records also indicate he was inside the building. A local Salt Lake City Fox TV affiliate reported that Knowlton is best known as an advocate for "noodling" -- the practice of catching catfish with bare hands. According to Internet Movie Database, he appeared in a 2013 reality TV show called Catfishin' Kings. While Knowlton awaits trial, he was ordered to remove all firearms from his home, the Deseret News reported. "Assistant U.S. attorney Bryan Reeves said agents found five or six guns as well as ammunition and paraphernalia for other firearms during the search of his house," according to the newspaper.

Case History

Knowlton pleaded Not Guilty to all charges. Found Guilty on two charges in a Stipulated Bench trial on 3/20/2024: Entering and Remaining in a Restricted Building or Grounds; and Obstruction of an Official Proceeding and Aiding and Abetting. On 10/9/2024, the court dismissed the Obstruction charge. Sentenced on 12/18/2024 to 36 Months of Probation; $75,000 Fine; $25,000 Restitution; $25 Special Assessment. Knowlton received a full pardon on January 20, 2025

Sources

• Primary Documentation
  NPR Jan. 6 Defendant DatabaseNPR
• Primary Documentation
  Underlying court recordCourt record linked by NPR

Case summary, charges, procedural updates and image are drawn from the NPR Jan. 6 archive snapshot dated 2026-09-25 unless otherwise indicated.