WASHINGTON - A Texas man has been indicted on felony and misdemeanor charges related to his actions during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. His actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the presidential election.
Mario Mares, 49, of Ballinger, Texas, is charged in a four-count indictment returned by a grand jury in the District of Columbia with two felony offenses, including entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon and unlawful possession of a firearm on Capitol grounds or buildings. Mare is also charged with various misdemeanor offenses, including disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds and disorderly conduct in a Capitol building.
According to the indictment, on Jan. 6, 2021, Mares entered and remained in the Capitol building and its grounds, a restricted area, and, while doing so, unlawfully possessed a firearm. The indictment states that Mares was in unlawful possession of a black semi-automatic handgun. While in the restricted area, Mares is accused of engaging in behavior with intent to impede official functions of the U.S. government.
Mares was arrested on Aug. 2, 2023, in Ballinger and will make his initial appearance today in the Northern District of Texas - Abilene Division.
This case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas.
The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Dallas Division, Abilene Resident Agency, and Washington Field Offices. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.
In the 30 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,069 individuals have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 350 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement. The investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)