Record at a Glance
- Category
- Jan 6th
- Age in NPR record
- 55
- Location
- Finksburg, Maryland
- Charges
- Civil Disorder; Obstruction of an Official Proceeding; Assaulting, Resisting, or Impeding Certain Officers Using a Dangerous Weapon; Assault by Striking, Beating, or Wounding; Simple Assault; Entering and Remaining in a Restricted Building or Grounds with a Deadly or Dangerous Weapon; Disorderly and Disruptive Conduct in a Restricted Building or Grounds with a Deadly or Dangerous Weapon; Engaging in Physical Violence in a Restricted Building or Grounds with a Deadly or Dangerous Weapon; Disorderly Conduct in a Capitol Building or Grounds; Act of Physical Violence in the Capitol Grounds or Buildings
- Case status
- Pleaded guilty; Dismissed in part or full; Sentenced
- Presidential action
- Pardon
Case Summary
Federal prosecutors allege that, in the days after the 2020 election, Rodney Milstreed messaged a friend on Facebook warning that things could get "ugly" in the country, along with a photo of multiple military-style rifles, ammunition and a medical kit. On Nov. 25, 2020, court documents state, he posted on Facebook, "I pray every night. I hope we dont have to hurt anyone. THESE JUDGES BETTER DO THE RIGHT THING." On Jan. 6, 2021, Milstreed allegedly threw a flagpole "javelin-style" at a group of Capitol Police officers guarding the outside of the U.S. Capitol. Later that day, Milstreed can allegedly be seen on video trying to move bike racks that police had set up as a barricade around the building and taking a smoke grenade that was on the ground on the side of the rioters and throwing it toward police. Milstreed then allegedly pulled and shoved a photographer working for The Associated Press, who was covering that day's events. That evening, prosecutors say, he messaged a Facebook friend, "We f***** them federal cops up." Milstreed was arrested on May 24, 2022, in Brighton, Colo.
Case History
Milstreed pleaded Guilty to three counts: Assaulting, Resisting, or Impeding Certain Officers Using a Dangerous Weapon; Assault by Striking, Beating, or Wounding; and Receipt and Possession of an Unregistered Firearm. The other charges are dismissed. Sentenced on 9/22/2023 to 60 months incarceration; 24 months supervised release; $225 special assessment; $2,000 restitution. Milstreed 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.