Joseph Pavlik

Case Summary

Joseph Pavlik, was part of a group of about 40 individuals who stayed at a hotel in Washington, D.C., shortly before and after the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol, according to court documents. The FBI alleges that Pavlik, a retired firefighter, has links to multiple militia extremist groups, including the Oath Keepers and the Three Percenters. According to the FBI, Pavlik's telephone number was listed on an Oath Keeper roster from 2009 to 2015. On the day of the riot, he allegedly wore a black tactical vest with a patch associated with the Three Percenters. Court documents say a group of six men including Pavlik moved in a coordinated fashion toward the tunnel of the Capitol wearing tactical vests, gas masks, and helmets, and engaged in a "heave-ho" effort to push law enforcement officers back and prevent them from holding the line. On Nov. 5, 2020, Pavlik wrote on Facebook: “Democrats told us they were going to steal this election RIGHT TO OUR FACES . . . AND WE DID NOTHING … So get ready young guys because YOU WILL LIVE ON YOUR KNEES from this day forward." On Dec. 26, 2020, he wrote: "WE ARE THE STORM THAT THE DEMOCRATS AND RINOS THOUGHT WOULD NEVER SHOW UP and we are just getting started."

Case History

Pavlik pleaded Guilty to two charges: Civil Disorder; Entering and Remaining in a Restricted Building or Grounds with a Deadly or Dangerous Weapon. The other charges are dismissed. Sentenced on 12/1/2023 to 2 months incarceration; 6 months of home confinement; 24 months of supervised release; a $6,000 fine; $2,000 in restitution; Special Assessment of $200. Pavlik 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.