Record at a Glance
- Category
- Jan 6th
- Location
- Largo, Florida
- Charges
- Entering or 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 tipster reached out to the FBI, alerting the bureau that Thomas Fassell had reportedly bragged to the tipster's mother, who is Fassell's co-worker, about being inside the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, according to court documents. The FBI then interviewed the tipster’s mother, who said Fassell showed her and other co-workers pictures and videos of him and his wife, who is also charged in the riot. The FBI also interviewed the couple, who allegedly said they had traveled from Florida to Washington, D.C., to “participate in a peaceful protest.” The Fassells described entering the Capitol through a broken door and walking around various offices. Both told the FBI they did not know they were doing anything illegal, court documents indicate.
Case History
Fassell pleaded Guilty to one charge: Parading, Demonstrating, or Picketing in a Capitol Building. The other charges are dismissed. Sentenced on 12/9/2022 to 7 days intermittent incarceration followed by 2 years Probation; a Special Assessment of $10; $500 restitution. Fassell 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.