Record at a Glance
- Category
- Jan 6th
- Age in NPR record
- 56
- Location
- Tustin, California
- 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
Federal prosecutors allege that Melanie Belger entered the U.S. Capitol through a broken window on Jan. 6, 2021, and can be seen on video footage holding an empty bottle of Captain Morgan Rum. After the breach of the Capitol building, Belger allegedly posted on Facebook, "Back at hotel! Was in the Capitol im [sic] safe.. Pence=NOT SAFE." Court documents state that a "former work associate" of Belger identified Belger from the video, and Belger was arrested on Sept. 23, 2022.
Case History
Belger pleaded Guilty to one charge: Parading, Demonstrating, or Picketing in a Capitol Building. The other charges are dismissed. Sentenced on 2/26/2024 to 36 months Probation; Special assessment of $10; restitution of $500; Fine of $4,000; 250 hours of community service. Belger 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.