Record at a Glance
- Category
- Jan 6th
- Location
- Illinois
- Charges
- Entering and Remaining in a Restricted Building; Disorderly and Disruptive Conduct in a Restricted Building; Violent Entry and Disorderly Conduct in a Capitol Building; Parading, Demonstrating, or Picketing in a Capitol Building
- Case status
- Pleaded guilty; Dismissed in part or full; Sentenced
- Presidential action
- Pardon
Case Summary
According to court documents, Bruce J. Harrison was captured on U.S. Capitol surveillance videos entering and exiting the building with his friend Douglas K. Wangler, who was also charged as a part of the Jan. 6, 2021, riot. In the videos, Harrison reportedly is wearing a white baseball-style hat and distinctive jacket with red and white stripes on the sleeves. In an interview with the FBI, Harrison told agents he attended a rally for then-President Donald Trump with Wangler. Following the rally, he said he walked over to the Capitol building with his friend and a crowd. Harrison told the FBI that as they approached the Capitol building, he heard loud bangs that sounded to him like a Civil War re-enactment and saw a violent crowd trying to get to the scaffolding and pushing against bicycle barricades. He said they watched the crowd by the scaffolding for a short time, then decided to go around to the other side of the Capitol building to get away from the violence. He added that on the other side of the building they saw open doors leading into the building, where people were freely going in, including what appeared to be family groups. He allegedly admitted to entering through these doors and wandering inside the building. Harrison said he and Wangler tried to find bathrooms but couldn't get to them. He said he was inside the Capitol building for about 10 to 15 minutes. Harrison added they felt it was time to leave because they “got caught up in the moment” and realized they should probably not be inside, according to the FBI.
Case History
Harrison pleaded Guilty to one charge: Parading, Demonstrating, or Picketing in a Capitol Building. The other charges were dismissed. Sentenced 12/16/2021 to 2 years of probation; 60 hours community service; $500 restitution; and $10 special assessment. Harrison 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.