Defendant Opened Door to Capitol, Directed Rioters Inside
WASHINGTON - A New York man sentenced today to a felony charge for 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 2020 presidential election.
Eric Gerwatowski, 32, of New Hyde Park, New York, was sentenced today in the District of Columbia to 24 months’ probation, 30 days home detention, $2,000 restitution to the Architect of the Capitol, and 60 hours of community service in lieu of any fines, for interfering with law enforcement officers during a civil disorder.
According to court documents, on Jan. 6, 2021, Gerwatowski was at the front of a crowd just outside the Upper House Doors. U.S. Capitol Police were attempting to close these doors to prevent further rioters from getting into the building. Gerwatowski pulled open one of the doors that the Capitol Police had just closed. He then turned to the mob and yelled, “Let’s go!" and directed more rioters into the building. He then entered the building, too. While inside, Gerwatowski walked down a corridor and could be heard stating, “They’re raping kids and they’re shooting kids" to another rioter who was livestreaming. He left the Capitol after being inside for about three minutes.
Gerwatowski was also interviewed on camera outside the building, stating, among other things, “the commies are trying to steal the country" and that he believed the election was stolen.
Gerwatowski was arrested on Feb. 8, 2022, in New Hyde Park.
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 Eastern District of New York.
The case is being investigated by the FBI New York Field Office’s Long Island Resident Agency, and the FBI’s Washington Field Office, which identified Gerwatowski as #244 in its seeking information photos. Valuable assistance was provided by the Metropolitan Police Department and the U.S. Capitol Police.
In the 26 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 999 individuals have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 320 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.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
