Fort Wayne men are facing federal charges in connection with the Jan. 6 Capitol riot

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WPTA) – Two Fort Wayne men, one of whom is an attorney, are facing four federal charges in connection with the riots at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.

Capitol riot, three years later: Hundreds of convictions, but one great mystery remains unsolved

Blake Patterson, 40, and 39-year-old Ryan Holden are accused of:

Entering or staying in restricted buildings or grounds;
Disorderly and disruptive behavior in an enclosed building or grounds;
Disorderly conduct on the Capitol building and grounds; And
Parade or demonstrate on the Capitol building and grounds.

A month after a group of individuals challenging the validity of the winner of the 2020 election forcibly entered the U.S. Capitol, a close acquaintance of Patterson reported his involvement in the riot, according to a report written by an FBI special agent . .

The person sent selfies of Patterson and Holden to the Capitol on the day of the riot, court records show. Patterson wore a motorcycle jacket with white stripes and the word “Alpha” stitched on the left chest, as well as a helmet with “Trump 2020” written in white.

He also wore a Trump flag wrapped around his neck.

Photos of 40-year-old Blake Patterson and 39-year-old Ryan Holden have been sent to the FBI.

Holden, a local attorney, wore a similar jacket to Patterson, a black neck gaiter and occasional goggles, according to court documents. The person who reported the men identified the men as lifelong friends.

Black helmet with "Trump 2020" written on it and seized from 40-year-old Blake Patterson's... — Black helmet with “Trump 2020” written on it that was seized from the home of 40-year-old Blake Patterson.

A search warrant executed at Patterson’s home secured a helmet and jacket that Patterson allegedly wore while participating in the riots. Phone records obtained by the FBI also placed a phone belonging to Patterson in the U.S. Capitol on the day of the riot.

Video from the day of the attack shows Patterson and Holden entering the upper west patio door of the Capitol three minutes after rioters breached it.

Evidence allegedly linking two Fort Wayne men to the January 6 Capitol riots. The man believed... — Evidence allegedly linking two Fort Wayne men to the January 6 Capitol riots. The man believed to be 40-year-old Blake Patterson is circled in red and the man believed to be Holden is circled in yellow.

Police officers tried to prevent rioters from entering and Patterson and Holden were stopped at the doorway, court records show. Patterson then allegedly joined several others in chanting “Let us in” before the crowd pushed further into the U.S. Capitol.

Minutes later, rioters, captured on CCTV, appeared to chant “break it down” before moving towards the Main House Chamber Door.

Both men could be seen near the entrance to the House chamber, with Patterson closer to the chamber where members of the House of Representatives meet, according to court documents. A body-worn camera shows an officer asking Holden to leave, but the defendant refuses to do so.

“Not yet,” Holden says on camera. “I have a friend up there.”

A body-worn camera shows a Capitol officer trying to grab 39-year-old Ryan Holden's jacket... — A body-worn camera shows a Capitol officer attempting to grab 39-year-old Ryan Holden’s jacket and pull him from the entrance to the House chamber.

“Please come out,” the officer begged.

Patterson and Holden did not leave immediately, but did so only after their coats were pulled, court records show. Even after officers attempted to retrieve Patterson, he reportedly did not fully comply. According to court documents, he “actively resisted the officer’s attempts to remove him from the area.”

But as they walked to the Roundabout, a gang successfully broke through a line of police officers, court documents show. Patterson and Holden are accused of pushing against the backs of rioters in front of them in an attempt to overwhelm the line.

Blake Patterson and Ryan Holden allegedly pushed themselves against the backs of rioters in an attempt... — Blake Patterson and Ryan Holden allegedly pushed against the backs of rioters in an attempt to break a police line trying to protect the Capitol.(FBI)

As police attempted to reposition themselves, Patterson allegedly told the officers there were “too many” and that they should “just let us pass.”

“We’re just trying to be peaceful,” Patterson said. “We didn’t break anything.”

No one was injured. Just let us go.”

Patterson further stated that they were not violent and said, “let’s pass.”

Blake Patterson, 40, and 39-year-old Ryan Holden(FBI)

Holden stood by Patterson during the confrontation, court records show. While police told the rioters “let’s go,” he reportedly ignored orders.

“That’s how we do it,” Holden said. “We will, we will; wait a minute.”

Holden was then forcibly removed from the area and tried to grab Patterson but lost his grip, court documents say. The officer who removed Holden ordered Patterson to “stand back” while using his baton.

“We’re not violent,” Patterson shouted back.”

Six minutes passed before the men left the U.S. Capitol.

Patterson and Holden spent about 36 minutes in the building and even longer in restricted areas, records show.

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