Record at a Glance
- Category
- Jan 6th
- Age in NPR record
- 41
- Location
- West Des Moines, Iowa
- Charges
- Entering and Remaining in a Restricted Building or Grounds; Disorderly and Disruptive Conduct in a Restricted Building or Grounds; Disorderly Conduct in a Capitol Building or Grounds; Parading, Demonstrating, or Picketing in a Capitol Building
- Case status
- Pleaded guilty; Dismissed in part or full; Sentenced
- Presidential action
- Pardon
Case Summary
The FBI was tipped off to Chad Heathcote's alleged involvement in the riot at the U.S. Capitol by a witness who said they had heard about it from Heathcote's wife. Agents were then able to connect movement on Jan. 6, 2021, in the U.S. Capitol from a mobile device associated with Heathcote's email address and identified him from video footage as well. In the footage, according to law enforcement, Heathcote can be seen approaching a door of the Capitol and going around two officers guarding the door to enter. The FBI also interviewed other witnesses, who identified Heathcote by the nickname "D-Love" and also identified him from footage they were shown from the riot. According to a sentencing memos filed in court, Heathcote served first in the Army National Guard and then in the U.S. Navy.
Case History
Heathcote pleaded Guilty to one charge: Parading, Demonstrating, or Picketing in a Capitol Building. The other charges are dismissed. Sentenced on 2/13/2023 to 36 Months of Probation; 15 Days of intermittent confinement to be served on weekends within the first 6 Months of Probation; $500 Restitution; $10 Special Assessment. Heathcote 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.