Record at a Glance
- Category
- Jan 6th
- Age in NPR record
- 55
- Location
- St. Cloud, Florida
- Charges
- Civil Disorder; Destruction of Government Property; 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 not guilty; Deceased
Case Summary
William Bierbrodt, also known online as #CrowbarBeardGuy because of his very long beard, allegedly broke into the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Earlier in the day, federal court records state that Bierbrodt can be seen carrying a cane and on a scooter to help with mobility due to a foot injury. According to court documents, Bierbrodt used the cane to break a window next to the Senate Fire Door, then unlatched the locked door and let more rioters in. The door has been assessed to be worth over a thousand dollars. According to the FBI, Bierbrodt came to the Capitol with his brother Joseph Bierbrodt, who is also charged. William Bierbrodt allegedly wrote on Parler in December of 2020: “all the Obama cronies should be taken, stacked and shot in the head.” According to his obituary, Bierbrodt served in the U.S. Army.
Case History
Bierbrodt pleaded Not Guilty to all charges. This matter is abated because of the death of William Bierbrodt. The Clerk's Office is directed to terminate the case as to this Defendant only.
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.