Ronald Balhorn

Case Summary

On Feb. 4, 2021, the FBI received a complaint about a Twitter post showing photos and a video from inside the U.S. Capitol, which read: "My fiancé got in.” According to court documents, the account belonged to Brandi Renee Wasilewski, who shared a home address with Ronald Balhorn. According to court documents, various sources of video footage from Jan. 6, 2021, also show Balhorn walking toward the Capitol, shouting at and appearing to shove police officers, and later entering the building with his cousin Kyle Mlynarek, who is also charged. According to the FBI, Balhorn can also be seen in video carrying a stick on Capitol grounds and moving aggressively toward a group of law enforcement.

Case History

Balhorn pleaded Not Guilty to all charges. In a Bench trial on 10/18/2023, he was found Not Guilty on two charges: Civil Disorder and Disorderly Conduct in a Capitol Building. Found Guilty on three charges: Entering and Remaining in a Restricted Building or Grounds; Disorderly and Disruptive Conduct in a Restricted Building or Grounds; and Parading, Demonstrating, or Picketing in a Capitol Building. Sentenced on 2/21/2024 to 100 days incarceration; 12 months supervised release; special assessment of $60; fine of $2,000; restitution of $500; 200 hours of community service. Balhorn 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.