Record at a Glance
- Category
- Jan 6th
- Age in NPR record
- 53
- Location
- Hopkinton, Rhode Island
- 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
According to an FBI statement of facts, William Cotton, wearing a Bryant University sweatshirt, entered the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, at approximately 2:51 pm, behind a group who had just breached that entrance. After making a phone call, an open-source video recorded by one of the participants in the crowd shows that Cotton was allegedly chanting “traitor” along with the crowd. He was arrested on Dec. 7, 2022, in Ashaway, R.I.
Case History
Cotton pleaded Guilty to one charge: Parading, Demonstrating, or Picketing in a Capitol Building. The other charges are dismissed. Sentenced on 9/29/2023 to 9 months Probation; $10 Special Assessment; Restitution of $500; 60 hours of community service. Cotton 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.