Record at a Glance
- Category
- Jan 6th
- Age in NPR record
- 46
- Location
- Virginia Beach, Virginia
- 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; Parading, Demonstrating, or Picketing in a Capitol Building
- Case status
- Pleaded guilty; Dismissed in part or full; Sentenced
- Presidential action
- Pardon
Case Summary
Eric Von Bernewitz and his brother, Paul Von Bernewitz, were identified by law enforcement after a witness saw their sister post on Facebook that her brother had been inside the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, and had FaceTimed with her inside the building. The sister didn't specify which brother she was referring to. When the FBI interviewed Eric Von Bernewitz, he admitted to being inside the Capitol that day and that he was there with his brother, according to court documents. Eric Von Bernewitz told the FBI that "he got caught up in the excitement of the crowd, went in the Capitol Building unexpectedly, and left within ten minutes."
Case History
Von Bernewitz pleaded Guilty to one charge: Parading, Demonstrating, or Picketing in a Capitol Building. The other charges are dismissed. Sentenced 4/26/2022 to 24 months Probation; 60 days home confinement; $1000 fine; Restitution of $500; and a $10 Special Assessment. Von Bernewitz 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.