Record at a Glance
- Category
- Jan 6th
- Age in NPR record
- 56
- Location
- Shelby Township, Michigan
- 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
According to court documents, James Mels showed the FBI photos he had taken inside the Capitol building on Jan. 6, 2021, and told officers that after briefly praying, he entered the building to present his copy of the U.S. Constitution and "have his voice heard." He told the FBI that he had traveled to Washington with 11 other "like-minded patriots" that he had met online. He said he believed the election had been "fraudulently decided," according to the FBI. According to sentencing memos filed in court, Mels served in the U.S. Army.
Case History
Mels pleaded Guilty to Entering and Remaining in a Restricted Building or Grounds. The other charges are dismissed. Sentenced on 10/28/2022 to 3 months probation; 3 months home confinement; $500 restitution; $25 special assessment. Mels 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 - Supporting Reporting
NPR video evidence pageNPR
Case summary, charges, procedural updates and image are drawn from the NPR Jan. 6 archive snapshot dated 2026-09-25 unless otherwise indicated.