Record at a Glance
- Category
- Jan 6th
- Age in NPR record
- 53
- Location
- Keller, Texas
- Charges
- Entering and 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
Thomas Paul Conover spent much of the day on Jan. 6, 2021, carrying a can of Coors Light beer, which he brought with him as he breached the U.S. Capitol building, federal prosecutors allege. During that time, court documents state, Conover also filmed videos of himself, including one in which he said, "I don't always storm the Capitol of the United States of America. But when I do, I prefer Coors Light." Prosecutors allege that Conover posted on Facebook about his activity on Jan. 6, stating, "GREETINGS FROM WASHINGTON DC" and "WE TOOK THE CAPITAL [sic]." Surveillance and police bodycam footage also allegedly shows Conover inside the building during the riot. Later, court documents state, the FBI received a tip from someone who saw Conover's Facebook posts and turned over screenshots to law enforcement.
Case History
Conover pleaded Guilty to one charge: Parading, Demonstrating, or Picketing in a Capitol Building. The other charges are dismissed. Sentenced on 4/22/2022 to 36 months probation with 30 days confinement in a residential re-entry facility; $2500 fine; $500 restitution; $10 special assessment. Conover 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.