Stephen Michael Ayres

Case Summary

Federal investigators say Stephen Ayres and two unidentified friends filmed a video in their hotel room to “share what really happened” at the Capitol building and posted it on YouTube following the riot. According to an FBI affidavit, at some point during the video, Ayres’ male friend claimed that “Antifa breached” the Capitol and that police “escorted” them into the building. He stated it was a “staged Antifa setup” coordinated by media, police and the mayor of Washington, D.C. In response, Ayers agreed that the entire incident was “definitely planned out,” according to the FBI report. Court documents also cite a witness who contacted the authorities after allegedly watching a livestream Ayers broadcasted from his Facebook account. According to the witness, Ayers was acting “like he was at war.” The witness also said that at some point during the streaming video, Ayres stated that the incident at the Capitol was “just the beginning” and that there was “more to come next week.”

Case History

Ayres pleaded Guilty to one charge: Disorderly and Disruptive Conduct in a Restricted Building or Grounds. The other charges are dismissed. Sentenced on 9/22/2022 to 24 months of probation, $500 restitution; $25 special assessment; 100 hours community service. Ayres 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.