Record at a Glance
- Category
- Jan 6th
- Age in NPR record
- 74
- Location
- Ludlow, Pennsylvania
- Charges
- Obstruction of an Official Proceeding; 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
When William Blauser Jr. of Ludlow, Pa. allegedly entered the U.S. Capitol through the east Rotunda door of the Capitol, he was walking backward. Three police officers were trying to stop the rowdy crowd from entering, and surveillance video allegedly shows Blauser walking backward to push his way through. He got in, according to court documents. In its statement of facts, the Justice Department said that Blauser came into the Capitol about 20 minutes after members of Congress had been evacuated from their chambers. At one point, Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Police Department officers “attempted to deny individuals access to the hallway entrance that resulted in a brief confrontation with Blauser and some other protesters.” That is allegedly caught on surveillance footage as well. Prosecutors said Blauser entered the Capitol with his friend Pauline Bauer. Body camera footage reportedly recorded her saying, among other things, “Bring Nancy Pelosi out here now. We want to hang that f***ing b***h. Bring her out. We’re coming in if you don’t bring her out. … Why are you trying to protect a f***ing Nazi. Is that what you’re protecting?” Court papers said that police forced Blauser and Bauer out of the Rotunda area a short time later. The two were in the Capitol, the statement of facts said, for about an hour. According to the government's sentencing memorandum, "From September 1965 to June 1969, Blauser was enlisted with the United States Navy. His highest rank and rank at separation was E-4. He received several ribbons and medals, most notably a Purple Heart and Navy Commendation medal with Combat Valor."
Case History
Blauser pleaded Guilty to one charge: Parading, Demonstrating, or Picketing in a Capitol Building. The other charges are dismissed. Sentenced 2/3/2022 to pay $10 Special Assessment; a $500 Fine; restitution in the amount of $500. Blauser 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.