Horry County man accused of assaulting police officer during Jan. 6 storming of U.S. Capitol (2024)

FLORENCE— Federal authorities arrested an Horry County man Aug. 28 on charges stemming from the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol insurrection that disrupted congressional proceedings to certify the results of the 2020 presidential election, according to public records.

Jason Barrett was brought before Judge G. Michael Harvey in U.S. District Court in Florence for a litany of charges, including assaulting a police officer, obstructing law enforcement, trespassing in a restricted building or grounds and disorderly conduct inside a Capitol building, according to the criminal complaint unsealed Aug. 28 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

Barrett was released on $20,000 bond. Under the conditions of his release, he is not allowed to travel outside South Carolina unless he has permission from the U.S. Probation Office. He also can’t possess a firearm or drink to excess.

Representatives from the Department of Justice and the FBI's Columbia office could not immediately be reached for comment.

The complaint states that in October 2023, the FBI began focusing on a man, later identified as Barrett, who participated in the riot. That day, the suspect wore a dark-green hoodie, a brown jacket, a white-and-blue baseball cap, sunglasses, Kobalt gloves, blue jeans with holes along the front and a light-gray backpack, according to court documents.

The complaint states that the FBI spotted Barrett in open-source footage and body-camera video from the events at the Capitol and found numerous videos showing his conduct. That included video of Barrett allegedly assaulting a police officer on the southwest corner of the Western Plaza of the U.S. Capitol, according to court documents.

"Video footage shows that, while rioters were attempting to overwhelm officers and breach the police line, Barrett grabbed a Metropolitan Police Department officer from behind," the complaint stated. "At another time, Barrett was observed picking up a bicycle patrol officer's police helmet and throwing it in the general direction of security barriers and posts manned by police officers."

The FBI identified Barrett through social media posts that he made on Jan. 5 and Jan. 6, 2021, linking him to the events of the insurrection, according to court records.

"The 'Jason Barrett' from the social media account posted a publicly available video on Jan. 5, 2021, wherein (he) discussed his impending travel to Washington, D.C. and appeared to be wearing the same white and blue baseball hat as (Barrett) was seen wearing at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

"Additionally, the FBI made consensual contact with a male believed to be Barrett in May 2024," the complaint continues. "This male appeared to have the same physical likeness of Barrett from the video footage taken on Jan. 6, 2021. The FBI Agents concluded that Barrett appeared to be ... depicted in the photographs and videos at the Capitol."

On Jan. 6, 2021, by around 1 p.m., a mob had breached the U.S. Capitol grounds and flooded the West Plaza. As officers attempted to fend off the crowd, Barrett was seen climbing over a short wall, retrieving a blue "Trump 2020" flag, assisting other rioters over the wall and making his way closer to the line of police officers.

At 1:12 p.m., police officers from the Metropolitan Police Department arrived on the scene to assist the Capitol Police. The officers formed another line of bike rack barricades and moved the crowd back. As officers continued to fend off constant attacks from the crowd, Barrett remained at the front of the mob.

"As the crowd grew increasingly agitated and aggressive towards the police officers, the mob made a concerted effort forward," according to the complaint. "At this time, Barrett forcefully grabbed a Metropolitan Police Department bicycle patrol officer from behind, wrapped his arm around the officer's neck and maintained control over the officer. The officer repeatedly yelled, 'Get off me!' as Barrett continued his attack. Nearby officers came to the officer's aid and saved the officer from Barrett's attack."

After the officer broke free, Barrett dropped back from the police line, picked up a white helmet and threw it in the general direction of the security barriers and posts manned by police officers. After about an hour and a half, the mob surged through the barricades, gaining access to the Capitol, according to the complaint.

Hundredsof supporters of former President Donald Trump have already been charged for their role in the attack, including at least25 people from South Carolina.Trump also faces criminal charges stemming from his role in trying to overturn the election results, according to TheAssociated Press.