Cameron Hess slipped under investigators’ radar for two years—but this week, federal officials filed felony charges against the Lebanon County man for his role in the Jan. 6 riots.
Mr. Hess, 26, is accused of assaulting capitol police and obstructing law enforcement during civil disorder; both felonies. He is also accused of misdemeanors such as engaging in disruptive conduct to interrupt congress, entering the capitol building when not authorized to do so, and more.
Mr. Hess turned himself in to the United States Marshal’s Office on Wednesday, according to Lori Ulrich, his attorney.
The Cleona man entered the United States Capitol Building through the east rotunda doors on Jan. 6, 2021, before riot police pushed him out of the building, according to a complaint filed by FBI investigators from Philadelphia.
At around 3:24 p.m. that day, he pushed back into the building while officers tried to direct rioters back out the rotunda door, investigators said.
One photograph showed a man identified as Mr. Hess “assaulting police to regain access to the Capitol building,” the complaint said. Mr. Hess returned to the rotunda doors and tried to prevent police from closing them, before police pushed him out.
Two witnesses identified Mr. Hess by photos taken on Jan. 6. Additionally, investigators linked photos of Hess to photos and videos showing him entering the Capitol Building. United States Capitol CCTV footage also recorded Hess entering the rotunda doors.
Additionally, photos showed Hess shielding his face from pepper spray bullets, and cell tower evidence placed his cell phone at the scene of the riot.
“Hess was observed inside the capitol building for 7 minutes including the assault against police at the entrance,” investigators wrote in an affidavit.
United States Magistrate Judge G. Michael Harvey filed an arrest warrant for Mr. Hess on Feb. 27.
Mr. Hess was released from custody after being arraigned and is ordered to appear via video call before District of Columbia Magistrate Judge G. Michael Harvey at 1 p.m. March 7.
As part of his release conditions, Mr. Hess will not be permitted to drink excessively, travel outside of the continental United States or travel to the District of Columbia except for purposes related to his case.
Mr. Hess waived his rights to hearings in the Middle District of Pennsylvania, which means his case will proceed directly to the District of Columbia.
First Published: March 3, 2023, 2:03 a.m.
