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Madera Resident Benjamin Martin Convicted for Role in US Capitol Riots
In a significant legal outcome, Benjamin Martin, a former real estate agent from Madera, California, has been convicted on multiple charges for his involvement in the January 6, 2021, US Capitol riot. The conviction includes two felonies and several misdemeanors.
Charges and Convictions
Martin, 46, was found guilty of felony civil disorder and felony obstruction of an official proceeding. His misdemeanor convictions included entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly conduct in a Capitol building, and parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building. The Department of Justice publicly announced the convictions on Thursday morning.
Role and Actions During the Riot
According to the court documents and evidence presented during the trial, Martin transitioned from an onlooker to an active participant in the riot. After attending then-President Donald Trump’s rally on the National Mall, Martin made his way to the north side of the Capitol building, where he joined other rioters gathered around a set of double doors.
At approximately 3 p.m., Martin demanded that the two officers guarding the doors “let us in,” but the officers did not respond. Despite the high tensions, Martin stayed at the front of the group and was heard shouting “our house” in an officer’s face.
The Escalation
The situation escalated when one of the doors was briefly opened from the inside as a rioter exited the building. Martin reached past the officers guarding the door, grabbed it, and entered the Capitol building amidst the sound of alarms. More rioters flooded in behind him. A confrontation ensued inside, where officers tried to push Martin and other rioters back out through the door.
During this intense standoff, Martin held one of the double doors open, facilitating other rioters who were attacking officers by tackling, shoving, spraying with chemical irritants, and hurling objects. Despite repeated attempts by officers to close the door—including using batons and chemical sprays—Martin persistently tried to pull it open.
The violent exchange highlighted the chaos of the moment. However, officers eventually managed to close the door. Yet, minutes later, Martin reopened one of the doors, allowing officers to come through and disperse the rioters with additional chemical sprays and pepper bullets.
Martin’s Argument and Background
Following his arrest, Benjamin Martin claimed he was caught up in the mob and was merely trying to act as a peacemaker. Nonetheless, his actions during the riot tell a different story. During the hour-long episode, Martin was heard telling officers that, “we are going to rise up against an oppressive government” and advised them to “walk away from [their] posts.”
Before the Capitol riot, Martin had been outspoken about his hard-right political views on social media platforms. He led local protests against masking policies in 2020 and had been previously detained, albeit not formally arrested, for his activism. His background includes a 2018 domestic violence case and a restraining order from his estranged sister.
His trial concluded with U.S. District Judge Rudolph Contreras set to sentence Martin on November 15, 2023.
Ongoing Investigations and Broader Implications
Martin is among the more than 1,450 individuals who have been charged in nearly all 50 states for their involvement in the Capitol breach. Over 500 individuals have faced charges for assaulting or impeding law enforcement officers.
The broad scope of the investigation demonstrates the seriousness with which these acts are being pursued. Authorities urge anyone with information regarding the events of January 6 to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.
The conviction of Benjamin Martin underscores the ongoing legal efforts to hold accountable those who participated in the historic breach of the United States Capitol. As the judicial process continues for many others, this case serves as a reminder of the lasting impact of January 6 on both public safety and national security.
Relevant Tweets
I drove past the street in Beverly Hills last night where Trump was receiving millions of dollars from rich people who don’t care about the two impeachments, the coup attempt, the riot at the Capitol, the porn star scandal and the 34 felony convictions
— David Lazarus (@Davidlaz) August 20, 2023