Record at a Glance
- Category
- Jan 6th
- Location
- Spokane, Washington
- Charges
- Obstruction of an Official Proceeding and Aiding and Abetting; Entering and Remaining in a Restricted Building or Grounds; Disorderly and Disruptive Conduct in a Restricted Building or Grounds; Entering and Remaining on the Floor of Congress; 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
Twitter users dubbed a man in images from the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, as “#Metrojack." Later, the FBI says it used booking photos to identify that man as Joshua Johnson. The photos from the Capitol allegedly show Johnson wearing a red plaid shirt, brown overalls, a dark jacket and a beanie, and he appears to be carrying a gas mask. The Social Security number associated with the booking photos led investigators to an apartment Johnson had left a few months earlier, but where his former neighbors positively identified him in the “Metrojack” photos, according to court records. The manager of the apartment complex gave investigators Johnson’s phone number, which AT&T records allegedly showed had used a cell site consistent with an area including the Capitol on the day of the riot. That phone number was also associated with Expedia records showing Johnson booked a one-way ticket to Washington, D.C., prosecutors say. Two of Johnson’s family members also spoke with the FBI, and both reportedly confirmed Johnson’s identity in photos from the Capitol. Court documents show investigators had a search warrant for Johnson’s residence, where they allegedly found the clothes he wore on Jan. 6, as well as the gas mask and ticket stubs for his travel. In July of 2021, court records indicate that Johnson was arrested on a domestic assault charge, after which investigators say they interviewed him in custody. Prosecutors say Johnson admitted entering the Capitol because he wanted to “stop the steal” and hoped to convince then-Vice President Mike Pence to “do the right thing.” Johnson was arrested in connection with the Capitol riot in March of 2022.
Case History
Johnson pleaded Guilty to one charge: Obstruction of an Official Proceeding. The other charges are dismissed. Sentenced on 7/6/2023 to 24 months incarceration; 24 months of supervised release; $100 special assessment; $2,000 in restitution. Johnson 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.