James Wayne Brooks

Case Summary

James Wayne Brooks was identified by the FBI to have been inside the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, through video footage from that day, as well as Brooks’ Facebook posts, Verizon cellphone records and credit card information, according to court documents. According to the FBI, Brooks can be seen in footage inside the Capitol wearing a distinctive black hoodie with a red-lined hood and gray sleeves that matches other pictures he had posted on Facebook. On Jan. 6, 2021, Brooks can also allegedly be seen in footage waving a large South Carolina state flag with a red U.S. Marine Corps logo attached to it. He can allegedly also be seen wearing a camouflage vest and a backward-turned dark cap with yellow lettering that reads “Iraqi Freedom Veteran.” In addition, the footage allegedly shows him carrying a communications radio with an antenna attached to his tactical vest. FBI agents interviewed Brooks’ sister, who confirmed that the pictures match those of her brother and told the FBI that Brooks told their other brother that he was indeed in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 6, 2021, court documents indicate. The sister also told the FBI that Brooks had served two tours of military duty in Iraq, court documents indicate. Brooks served with the Tennessee Army National Guard from 1995 to 2007, a spokesperson confirmed.

Case History

Brooks pleaded Guilty to one charge: Entering and Remaining in a Restricted Building or Grounds. The other charges are dismissed. Sentenced 11/3/2022 to 12 months of Probation; Special Assessment of $25; Restitution of $500; 60 hours community service. Brooks 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.