TEXAS — Forty-four-year-old Donald Hazard has pleaded guilty to assaulting law enforcement resulting in bodily injury during the January 2021 riot at the U.S. Capitol. 

Hazard, of Hurst, Texas, and Lucas Denney respectively served as the sergeant-at-arms and president of the Patriot Boys of North Texas. Both of them gathered protective gear for the self-described militia along with other supplies prior to heading to Washington. Hazard had goggles, body armor, a military-style helmet and knuckle gloves.

On Jan. 6, while marching in Washington, Hazard was captured on news video and said: “Make sure you get my face and everything on your news channel. I want the enemy to know exactly who is coming after them.”

At approximately 2 p.m. on Jan. 6, he was under scaffolding over the stairs on the northwest side of the U.S. Capitol building. He and other rioters attempted to climb the stairs when they were met with United States Capitol Police officers. In an attempt to force Hazard back, one officer engaged with him. Hazard grabbed the officer as he fell and continued to fight him as they both fell down the stairs. The officer hit his head and was rendered unconscious. He also had other injuries to his head, feet and arm, some of which required surgery.

Hazard and Denney also approached a line of police officers on the west side of the building with canisters of pepper spray. Hazard entered the building shortly before 3 p.m. and was inside for about five minutes. He took selfie-style videos in and outside the building, making statements such as “We’re here at the nation’s capital and we’re storming it. We’re taking the Capitol. . . This is America, baby.”

He was arrested on Dec. 13, 2021, and his sentencing hearing is set for May 13. 

Since the riot in 2021, nearly 1,000 people have been arrested in all 50 states. Investigation remains ongoing.