Record at a Glance
- Category
- Jan 6th
- Age in NPR record
- 49
- Location
- New Hartford, New York
- Charges
- Entering and Remaining in a Restricted Building; Disorderly and Disruptive Conduct in a Restricted Building; Violent Entry and Disorderly Conduct and Parading, Demonstrating, or Picketing 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
On Jan. 6, 2021, Eric Bochene told an individual, who later spoke to the FBI, that he had broken a window and was one of the first persons inside the U.S. Capitol building, according to court documents. Multiple images inside the Capitol show Bochene standing near QAnon conspiracy follower Jacob Chansley, who wore a horned headdress, court documents indicate. The FBI interviewed Bochene, who confirmed he was inside and showed agents pictures and videos he took himself. “It was all a false flag. Insurrection act signed last night. Leftist trash are being executed right now,” he reportedly wrote to an acquaintance, who asked if he was inside the Capitol after Bochene sent a screenshot that appeared to be of him. Bochene, who also goes by the name Eric Festo, was arrested and placed on bond.
Case History
Bochene pleaded Guilty to one charge: Entering and Remaining in a Restricted Building. The other charges are dismissed. Sentenced on 11/2/2023 to 90 days incarceration with credit for time served; 12 months supervised release; $25 special assessment; $500 restitution; 60 hours of community service. On 5/16/2024 Bochene concedes to 3 violations of conditions - his Supervised Release is Revoked and he is sentenced to 5 months incarceration with credit for federal time served; 7 months supervised release. Bochene 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.