Record at a Glance
- Category
- Jan 6th
- Age in NPR record
- 70
- Location
- Charleston, South Carolina
- Charges
- Disorderly Conduct in a Capitol Building; Parading, Demonstrating, or Picketing in a Capitol Building
- Case status
- Pleaded guilty; Sentenced
- Presidential action
- Pardon
Case Summary
According to court documents, video surveillance footage from U.S. Capitol Police CCTV shows Thomas Blackwood entering the Capitol building two times on Jan. 6, 2021. When interviewed by FBI agents on Dec. 9, 2021, Blackwood admitted entering the building once, claiming he was “waved in by police.” He did not tell agents that he entered a second time. He was arrested on Feb. 8, 2024. According to a sentencing memo filed by the defendant in court, Blackwood is a law enforcement veteran, having served for 30 years. He retired as a Sr. Lieutenant with the North Charleston Police Department in 2008.
Case History
Blackwood pleaded Guilty to both charges. Sentenced on 11/20/2024 to 4 Years probation; Special assessment of $20; Restitution of $500; 100 hours of community service. Blackwood 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.