NK Man Arrested for Capitol Insurrection Actions

WASHINGTON — A North Kingstown man is the second Rhode Islander arrested for his Capitol insurrection actions during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

The insurrection aimed at overturning the Presidential election is the subject of Congressional hearings, recently focusing on President Donald J. Trump’s actions that day.

Bernard Joseph Sirr, 47, of North Kingstown, RI, a facility engineer at the RI Nuclear Science Center, site of the state’s sole nuclear reactor, was arrested in North Kingstown Wednesday on felony and misdemeanor charges stemming from his actions at the U.S. Capitol. Sirr was charged in a criminal complaint filed in the District of Columbia with civil disorder, a felony, and related misdemeanor offenses.

His actions and the actions of others Jan. 6, 2021 disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the presidential election. He is the second Rhode Islander charged in the attempt to thwart the will of American voters, the Department of Justice notes.

According to court documents, on Jan. 6, Sirr was among rioters who illegally entered the Capitol grounds. He joined a line of rioters that was engaged in a confrontation with law enforcement officers in the tunnel area of the Lower West Terrace. At approximately 3:08 p.m., video shows Sirr entering the tunnel. During a video taken inside the tunnel, Sirr is at the front of the police line pushing against rioters who are assaulting officers. He is seen pushing against the police line with his hand pressed against a police shield. He also participated in a struggle in which a group of rioters chanted “Heave! Ho!” in unison as they moved together as a team against the officer. 

Sirr exited the tunnel at approximately 3:14 p.m. About an hour later, however, he reappeared at the Lower West Terrace doorway, pushing other rioters who were pushing against police officers. Sirr ultimately was ejected from the tunnel area.

The 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, with  “valuable assistance” by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Rhode Island, according to the US Department of Justice.

 The case is investigated by the FBI’s Boston Field Office and its Providence Resident Agency. Assistance was provided by the FBI’s Washington Field Office, which identified Sirr as #249 on its seeking information photos, the U.S. Capitol Police, and the Metropolitan Police Department.

 In the 17 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 800 individuals have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including over 250 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. Sirr, Bernard - Statement of Facts_Redacted

Jan. 6 Committee witness: Trump thwarted while attempting to join Capitol riot

Cassidy Hutchinson, ​​a former aide to Trump’s Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, described events inside the White House as the Jan. 6 insurrection unfolded. She recounted Trump’s intent to join Capitol rioters, and recounted her conversation with Tony Ornato, White House deputy chief of staff for operations, and Bobby Engel, who headed Trump’s security detail, that when told his limo was not going to the riot because it was not secure, Trump attempted to grab the wheel, and wrestled with Engel when he intervened.

Hutchinson also testified that Trump urged Secret Service agents to remove metal detectors from the crowd during his speech prior to the riot, telling them armed members of the crowd were not there to harm him.

” ‘I don’t f***ing care that they have weapons. They’re not here to hurt me. Take the f***ing mags away,’ ” Hutchinson said she heard Trump say.

Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) praised Hutchinson’s character in her decision to testify about the events and conversations among White House staff during the insurrection.

“It’s clear that Ms. Hutchinson has more courage and integrity than the people she worked for.  This was shocking testimony that paints a vivid, damning portrait of a dangerous President Trump and his inner circle conspiring to overturn the election.

  “The long list of individuals who sought Presidential pardons, including Mr. Meadows, indicates that they believed they were participating in serious criminal wrongdoing. Both Mr. Meadows and Donald Trump should be held accountable for their roles in attempting to manufacture this violent constitutional crisis.”

Rhode Islanders charged in or present at the Jan. 6 Capitol riot

Timothy Desjardins, Providence, RI

In November, Timothy Desjardins, 35, of Providence, RI was charged with engaging in physical violence in a restricted building or grounds, civil disorder, and assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers with a dangerous weapon during the Capitol riots. In November, Timothy Desjardins, 35, of Providence, RI was charged with engaging in physical violence in a restricted building or grounds, civil disorder, and assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers with a dangerous weapon during the Capitol riots.

Justin K. Price, Dist. 39 (Hopkinton, Exeter, Richmond) Representative

When RI Public Radio reporter Ian Donnis reported RI Rep. Justin K. Price R-Dist. 39 (Hopkinton, Exeter, Richmond)’s attendance at the Capitol during the attacks, and his tweeted conspiracy theory that Antifa (a philosophy, not a political organization) was behind the pro- President Donld J. Trump mob (since deleted but preserved by Donnis), state officials and lawmakers called for his resignation and expulsion from the General Assembly.

Rhode Islander interviewed by the Jan. 6 Committee

Michael, Flynn, Ret. U.S. Army Lt. General, former U.S. National Security Advisor during the Trump administration, Middletown, RI

Flynn, a native and resident of Middletown, RI, repeatedly pleaded the Fifth when asked during the Jan. 6 hearings by Rep. Liz Cheney about whether he believes violence was justified Jan. 6. He also pleaded the Fifth when directly asked if he believes in the peaceful transition of power.

The Jan. 6 Committee sought to interview Flynn about an Oval Office meeting at which Trump and others allegedly discussed seizing voting machines, according to NBC News.