Law enforcement looking into more than 400 potential suspects in Capitol riot

Federal investigators are looking into more than 400 potential suspects who may be connected to the riot at the Capitol earlier this month, law enforcement officials said Tuesday.

Acting U.S. Attorney for D.C. Michael Sherwin said the investigation into the Jan. 6 Capitol breach has grown exponentially over the past three weeks. Law enforcement has received more than 200,000 tips from the public and obtained more than 500 search warrants and subpoenas, he said. 

Sherwin said on a call with reporters that law enforcement is committed to following through with the expansive investigation.

“There is no manpower issue,” he said. “If a crime was committed, we are going to track that person down and they will be charged.”

More than 150 criminal cases have been brought in federal court against alleged rioters.

The charges range from unlawful entry to unregistered firearms possession to conspiracy. Sherwin has said that his office is still exploring more extreme charges where appropriate, including sedition, which carries a maximum sentence of more than 20 years in prison.

Investigators are also focused on identifying suspects who may have targeted police officers and journalists during the siege.

“Because of the fact that it has taken time to review the body-worn camera footage, we will see a geometric increase in cases related to assaults on police officers,” Sherwin said.

“In addition to those cases, we’ve also assigned prosecutors from the US Attorney’s Office to specifically look at assault and violence that were targeting media members,” he added.

Sherwin and Steven D’Antuono, the head of the FBI’s Washington field office, said Tuesday that their offices are still looking for suspects in the death of a Capitol Police officer who died after a clash with the demonstrators.

They’re also working to identify those responsible for planting pipe bombs at the Democratic and Republican party headquarters on the day of riot and are offering a $75,000 reward for information that could lead to an arrest. 

—Updated at 4:08 p.m.