Man linked to Oath Keepers admits joining U.S. Capitol attack

A fourth person linked to the Oath Keepers militia group pleaded guilty on Tuesday to two criminal charges related to his participation in the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol riot. Other defendants linked to the Oath Keepers who entered guilty pleas to riot-related charges also are cooperating with investigators, records showed.

A fourth person linked to the Oath Keepers militia group pleaded guilty on Tuesday to two criminal charges related to his participation in the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol riot. Caleb Berry, 20, who prosecutors said was in communication with a Florida-based Oath Keepers group, is the fourth person affiliated with the militia to plead guilty to riot charges and the 19th so far to plead guilty to federal riot-related charges.

More than 500 people have been charged with taking part in the violence, when supporters of then-President Donald Trump stormed the Capitol in an attempt to stop Congress from certifying President Joe Biden's election victory. Berry pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy and obstructing an official proceeding at a hearing in federal court in Washington.

Prosecutors said in court papers that Berry was cooperating with investigators and the court file on his case was sealed for that reason until Tuesday. Other defendants linked to the Oath Keepers who entered guilty pleas to riot-related charges also are cooperating with investigators, records showed. On Jan. 6, prosecutors said, Berry and others donned protective vests, helmets and goggles, as well as clothing and patches with the Oath Keepers logo.

At the Capitol, Berry joined other suspected members of the militia who "maneuvered in an organized fashion" up the steps on the building's east side, with "each member keeping at least one hand on the shoulder of the other in front of them," prosecutors said. They assaulted police guarding the building, "threw objects and sprayed chemicals towards the officers" and ultimately forced themselves into the building, prosecutors said.

Also on Tuesday, federal authorities made public riot-related charges against Mark Sami Ibrahim, a probationary agent with the Drug Enforcement Administration, who weeks before the riot told the DEA of his intention to resign.