POLK — The FBI arrested a man from Ashland County on Tuesday for his involvement in the riot at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
Jeffrey Newcomb, 41, of Polk, faces five federal charges for allegations tied to him bringing a Trump sign to the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, and, along with other rioters, using the sign as a battering ram against a line of police officers.
According to an affidavit from the arresting FBI agent, Newcomb posted photos to his Twitter account in March 2023 of the sign and himself in front of it, with his face obscured “because bullets are expensive.”
His Twitter account has since been deleted.
The March 8, 2023 post claimed he brought the 8-by-10-foot sign on a “custom-made aluminum wagon.”
(Below is a PDF of the FBI agent’s affidavit.)
The FBI became aware of Newcomb’s alleged involvement from a tip in April 2023, the affidavit stated.
Other photos that were posted by the account, along with footage from body-worn cameras, capitol CCV and open source videos from Jan. 6 helped the FBI identify Newcomb.
“The material reviewed shows Newcomb bringing the large metal-framed ‘Trump’ sign onto Capitol Grounds, escorting the sign close to the police line established on the Capitol’s West Plaza, and handing the sign off to others for them to shove the sign into a line of law enforcement officers in an attempt to breach the police line,” the affidavit states.
How many people have been charged for involvement with Jan. 6?
According to a National Public Radio database, 1,522 people have been federally charged in connection with Jan. 6. Of those, 82 have been from Ohio, not including Newcomb.
Of the more than 1,500 charged, 977 people have pleaded guilty. More than 1,000 have been sentenced.
Newcomb is the first person from Ashland County to face charges for their involvement with Jan. 6, 2021. However, others from Ashland County were there.
Newcomb pushed the sign forward along with other rioters, releasing it before the mob hit the police line. He dropped back but “at one point, supported rioters continuing to shove the sign toward the police line by pushing on the rioters’ backs.”
On Jan. 6, over 140 police officers were assaulted by rioters. Four people in the crowd died that day. Five police officers who’d been there also died — one from a heart attack, one from injuries sustained that day, and three by suicide in the days and months following the attack, according to reporting by the New York Times.
The affidavit states Newcomb remained on the West Plaza until “well-after the West Plaza police line fell at 2:30 p.m. and rioters swarmed the inaugural stage.”
A criminal complaint filed with the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia alleges Newcomb committed the following violations of federal law:
- Obstruction of law enforcement during civil disorder
- Assaulting/resisting/impeding a federal officer while carrying or using a deadly or dangerous weapon
- Entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds
- Disorderly or disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds
- Disorderly conduct in a Capitol Building or Grounds
(Below is a PDF of the criminal complaint.)
Local offenses
Newcomb has several former convictions for crimes in Lorain County and a current charge against him in Morrow County.
The convictions in Lorain County span from 2011 to 2017. Newcomb has two convictions for operating a vehicle under the influence — one filed in September 2011, and another from December 2017.
He also was convicted of attempted rape and aggravated burglary in September 2012, for a charge that originated in September 2011.
A criminal case is in progress against Newcomb in Morrow County. He is charged with having weapons while under disability, aggravated menacing and assault.
Those charges originated Aug. 25, 2023, according to Morrow County court documents.
(Below is a PDF of an indictment against Newcomb, filed in the Morrow County Court of Common Pleas.)
Dillon Carr contributed to this report.
