Record at a Glance
- Category
- Jan 6th
- Age in NPR record
- 53
- Location
- Columbia, Maryland
- 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
A number of people identified Paul Modrell as being in the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, according to an FBI statement of facts. A photo of himself on his own Facebook page also allegedly placed him in the Capitol that day. On March 30, 2022, the FBI reviewed Capitol surveillance footage which allegedly showed Modrell inside the building for approximately 25 minutes, entering through a broken window in the Senate wing and taking photos on his way up to the third floor. According to a court sentencing document, Modrell served in the U.S. Navy for approximately four years and was honorably discharged. He was arrested on Dec. 20, 2022, in Baltimore.
Case History
Modrell pleaded Guilty to one charge: Parading, Demonstrating, or Picketing in a Capitol Building. The other charges are dismissed. Sentenced on 10/20/2023 to 36 Months Probation; 90 Days of Home Detention; Fine of $1,500; Restitution of $500; Special Assessment of $10. Modrell 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.