Ryan Nichols

The January 6 Files

Where do you
want to start?

Two ways in. Both free, both public.

1,463
Days, arrest to pardon
34
Grievances filed
1,866
Documents on file
12
Co-detainees corroborating
564Events
1639People named
10Facilities
2Federal officers on record (IGP broken)
Ryan Nichols

The lead case · ✓ verified

United States v. Nichols

Case No. 1:21-cr-00117 · U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia · 10 federal charges · Judge Hon. Thomas F. Hogan (pretrial & detention, 2021–2023); Hon. Royce C. Lamberth (plea, sentencing & judgment, 2023–2025)

The case this whole archive was built on. Every filing, every named official, every document — the full record is on my file.

Read my full case file →

Fighting Shadows · Pre-order

Early access for $29.99$29.99

Read it first and own a piece of the story — or become a Founding Supporter (limited to 250).

How this archive sources, labels, and corrects what it publishes — editorial standards →

Explore this case

rulingRecord on file — open to view
ruling

Jan 22, 2021

Handwritten transcription — Judge K. Nicole Mitchell detention ruling (1/22/21)

Handwritten transcription/notes of Hon. K. Nicole Mitchell's January 22, 2021 ruling denying Ryan Nichols pretrial release. Lists five reasons including planned attack, text messages re weapons/body armor, threats, intent, and substance abuse concerns.

Read
discoveryRecord on file — open to view
discovery

Jan 18, 2021

FBI 302 Interview File — Consolidated (EX-534)

The consolidated FBI 302 interview file from United States v. Nichols discovery. Exhibit 534 in the case archive. Read what the government's own interviews recorded.

Read
exhibitRecord on file — open to view
exhibit

Jan 18, 2021

Timeline - p7 (after J6, FB ban, FBI raid Jan 18, jail transport)

Page 7 of timeline. Post-Jan 6: walked west, Ubered to Virginia hotel, made live FB video disputing narrative he started it, banned from FB. Drove to Texas. Sent wife to her parents with kids after seeing cars watching house. FBI raided house Jan 18; drove from Oklahoma to turn himself in. Locked 47-1 for 9 days in Smith County. Transported overnight to Fannin County with Alex. 5 weeks in Grady County (got sick from freezing temps/AC on). Flew to DC from Oklahoma; spent night in Northern Neck; no water for 28 hours en route.

Read
affidavitRecord on file — open to view
affidavit

Jan 17, 2021

FBI Affidavit Supporting Complaint and Arrest Warrants for Alex Harkrider and Ryan Nichols

FBI affidavit supporting a criminal complaint and arrest warrants for Alex Kirk Harkrider and Ryan Taylor Nichols, attested January 17, 2021. It preserves government probable-cause allegations and is not a final adjudication.

Read
affidavitRecord on file — open to view
affidavit

Jan 11, 2021

Douglas Austin Jensen Criminal Complaint and Statement of Facts

Four-page complaint package and FBI probable-cause affidavit. The narrative contains charging-stage allegations and attributed investigative statements, not final findings.

Read
articleRecord on file — open to view
article

Jan 9, 2021

Derrick Evans — DOJ Initial January 6 Charge Announcement

Official DOJ announcement recording Evans’s January 8, 2021 arrest and two complaint-stage misdemeanor allegations. The release expressly states that the allegations were not findings of guilt.

Read
articleRecord on file — open to view
article

Jan 9, 2021

Jacob Chansley — DOJ Arrest and Initial Charging Record

Primary government announcement of Jacob Chansley’s January 9, 2021 arrest and initial charges. Allegations are attributed to prosecutors and are not treated as findings of guilt.

Read
affidavitRecord on file — open to view
affidavit

Jan 8, 2021

Adam Johnson Statement of Facts — January 8, 2021

Four-page FBI probable-cause affidavit supporting the original complaint. It records the government’s identification method and complaint-stage allegations; it is not a verdict or merits finding.

Read
affidavitRecord on file — open to view
affidavit

Jan 8, 2021

Cleveland Grover Meredith Jr. — FBI Statement of Facts

FBI probable-cause statement attested January 8, 2021. It says Meredith arrived in Washington after the January 6 rally and Capitol events had ended, describes the January 7 hotel contact and consensual searches, and sets out the government's probable-cause allegations. This is an affidavit-stage government account, not a judgment.

Read
articleRecord on file — open to view
article

Jan 8, 2021

DOJ arrest announcement — Richard Barnett

The Justice Department announced Barnett’s January 8, 2021 arrest. The release stated that the complaint was an accusation and that he was presumed innocent at that stage.

Read
articleRecord on file — open to view
article

Jan 8, 2021

DOJ Charging Release for Lonnie Leroy Coffman

Official U.S. Attorney’s Office release describing the complaint-stage allegations and stating that Coffman was arrested the previous day. The allegations are preserved as government claims, not findings of guilt.

Read
otherRecord on file — open to view
other

Jan 8, 2021

United States v. Adam Johnson — Criminal Complaint

Official DOJ-linked criminal complaint for the January 2021 arrest. The endpoint and DOJ index are verified; native PDF capture and file-level hashing remain pending.

Read
exhibitRecord on file — open to view
exhibit

Jan 6, 2021

Evidence catalog (cont.): MPD Colonel orders, doors opened for protestors

Handwritten continuation noting a Colonel MPD ordering "Old school CDU" tactics, "we are not losing the U.S. Capitol today" command, officer telling "no more OC spray," and police opening doors for protestors to enter.

Read
exhibitRecord on file — open to view
exhibit

Jan 6, 2021

Evidence.com catalog: Tennessee sheriff, collapsible ASPs, CS dropped on stage

Continuation of handwritten evidence.com video catalog documenting officer misconduct including Tennessee sheriff in crowd claiming protestors attacked him, collapsible ASPs used to strike protestors, CS gas dropped on officers, and crowd dispersal speaker not used until 14:03 PM.

Read
exhibitRecord on file — open to view
exhibit

Jan 6, 2021

Evidence.com pg 3: Ray Epps appearance, Gonzalez "straight shank," Frenzel baseball bat

Page 3 of evidence catalog noting Ray Epps thanking police, Officer Gonzalez bragging about shanking a protestor on bodycam, and Officer Peter Frenzel downplaying baseball bat weapon.

Read
videoRecord on file — open to view
video

Jan 6, 2021

Footage: Ryan Helping Officer Michael Fanone to Safety (EX-539)

The footage itself: Ryan Nichols helping Metropolitan Police Officer Michael Fanone to safety on January 6, 2021. This sat in the case file the entire time. Exhibit 539.

Read
exhibitRecord on file — open to view
exhibit

Jan 6, 2021

Handwritten evidence catalog continued: Rosanne down 16:27, Tunnel officers

Continuation of evidence.com video catalog noting timestamps where Rosanne Boyland is down/possibly dead, officers blame protestors for spray, and officers posing for selfies.

Read
exhibitRecord on file — open to view
exhibit

Jan 6, 2021

Handwritten evidence catalog: stingball/grenade timeline, Officer Jimmy

Continuing handwritten evidence catalog with timestamps documenting officers throwing grenades into crowd, comments admitting they were spraying their own people, OC spray being useless, and admissions of "hitting innocent people" and "multiplying them by hitting them."

Read
exhibitRecord on file — open to view
exhibit

Jan 6, 2021

Handwritten Evidence.com catalog: pistols, NY officers, taser/munition timeline

Long handwritten catalog of evidence.com bodycam videos with timestamps showing pepper-ball deployments, super-soaker spray, taser deployments without warning, identification of plainclothes officers, including Suffolk County NY badge #6504.

Read
exhibitRecord on file — open to view
exhibit

Jan 6, 2021

Handwritten Evidence.com video catalog (Waldo, Divonnie Powell, Boyland)

Detailed handwritten catalog of multiple Evidence.com bodycam videos noting officer brutality including a woman thrown through gate, a man punched 13+ times after surrender, Waldo references, and Rosanne Boyland body being recovered.

Read
exhibitRecord on file — open to view
exhibit

Jan 6, 2021

Handwritten notes: Alex & Ryan entering stage — discovery video timeline

Detailed timestamp annotations across three discovery videos tracking Ryan Nichols and Alex (likely Alex Harkrider) entering the Capitol grounds and pointing toward tunnel.

Read
exhibitRecord on file — open to view
exhibit

Jan 6, 2021

Handwritten notes: Inside Tunnel View — USCH BA Lower West Terrace videos

Handwritten notes referencing two USCH BA Lower West Terrace Door video files from 2021-01-06 documenting hallway events that prompted calls for more people.

Read
articleRecord on file — open to view
article

Jan 6, 2021

Marcus DiPaola TikTok — filming from behind police lines on January 6

Self-published TikTok by Marcus DiPaola showing him filming from behind police lines inside the U.S. Capitol perimeter on January 6, 2021. Posted to his own public account @marcus.dipaola. Material context: DiPaola has since publicly self-admitted he worked for the FBI Chicago field office from 2016–2019. He was never charged, detained, or referred for the same conduct that drew federal indictments for hundreds of civilians who were behind the same lines that day.

Read
photoRecord on file — open to view
photo

Jan 6, 2021

Ryan Helping Officer Michael Fanone to Safety — January 6 (EX-540)

A still from footage in the case file showing Ryan helping Metropolitan Police Officer Michael Fanone to safety on January 6, 2021. This was in the file the entire time. Exhibit 540.

Read
exhibitRecord on file — open to view
exhibit

Jan 6, 2021

Statements Trump & Rudy G Made on Jan 6th - trial by combat quote

Final page of Trump/Rudy quotes. Trump promised to walk down with crowd, and Rudy Giuliani made the trial by combat statement.

Read
exhibitRecord on file — open to view
exhibit

Jan 6, 2021

Statements Trump Made on Jan 6th - handwritten quotes page 1

Handwritten transcription of statements made by Trump during Jan 6 Ellipse speech. Quotes Rudy Giuliani praise, Pence comments, march to Capitol peacefully and patriotically language.

Read
exhibitRecord on file — open to view
exhibit

Jan 6, 2021

Statements Trump Made on Jan 6th - quotes page 2 (fight like hell, walk down Pennsylvania Ave)

Page 2 of Trump statement transcriptions. Contains the criminal enterprise, fight like hell, and Lets walk down Pennsylvania Ave quotes.

Read
exhibitRecord on file — open to view
exhibit

Jan 6, 2021

Timeline - p4 (Jan 6 morning, march to Capitol, flash bangs)

Page 4 of timeline. January 6 morning: woke early, grabbed chest gear, took a crowbar (looked up DC code, legal); Alex took a tomahawk (legal 3 inch blade per DC code nomenclature); listened to speakers including Trump at Washington Monument side of Pennsylvania Ave; felt asked to fight based on president/legal team statements; marched to Capitol when president told us to; explosions on arrival; Ryan climbed Inauguration stage with Alex, sang National Anthem and God Bless America; spoke about certification; flash bangs/tear canisters thrown into crowd hitting old/young/women.

Read
exhibitRecord on file — open to view
exhibit

Jan 6, 2021

Timeline - p5 (Antifa assumption, spray, saving Michael Fanone)

Page 5 of timeline. Describes hallway with people in black gear Ryan assumed were Antifa agitators (police above not caring); people screaming someone was being killed and coming out bloody; crowd sprayed repeatedly, Ryan sprayed directly, took a canister and sprayed twice to neutralize a sprayer giving them a taste of their own medicine. KEY: saw Officer Michael Fanone being pulled out of hallway with people screaming Kill him with his own gun, Ryan and Alex jumped in to stop the angry mob from killing him, yelled to send him to top of stairs and to not kill him.

Read
exhibitRecord on file — open to view
exhibit

Jan 6, 2021

Timeline - p6 (entering Capitol via window, Roxanne, dads call, curfew)

Page 6 of timeline. Entered through broken window 3rd or 4th in; moved furniture in front of door to block police from coming in and shooting; took pictures. After 10-15 minutes dad called (Alexs phone dead) saying a girl had just been shot (Roxanne, presumably Ashli Babbitt or Roseanne Boyland), people at window saying a girl outside had also been killed. Stepped onto windowsill, microphone shoved in hand, spoke anger/rage/sadness at what he was witnessing. Emergency alert about curfew + Trumps tweet to go home prompted them to leave.

Read
exhibitRecord on file — open to view
exhibit

Jan 5, 2021

Timeline - p3 (Jan 5 night, BLM Plaza, MPD)

Page 3 of timeline. Describes January 5 night around White House: barricades, hearing shouting they first thought was Antifa, crowd moved to BLM Plaza for a BLM/Antifa protest; MPD escorted a BLM/Antifa member to their side to antagonize a fight (per Ryans GoPro footage); Ryan surrounded the man as protection and sent him back; stayed 1-2 hours then Ubered to hotel.

Read
exhibitRecord on file — open to view
exhibit

Jan 5, 2021

Timeline - What I Remember p2 (Cammie Bowker, Zello, Jan 4-5)

Page 2 of timeline. References anti-human trafficking group with Cammie Bowker; THC vape brought as goodies (medicinal card from Vegas birthday trip); added to Stop The Steal J6 Zello group by 1% Watchdog with whom Ryan worked Hurricanes Florence & Dorian SAR; left Jan 4 for DC, stayed in Virginia and Ubered into DC due to gun laws; Jan 5 went to White House to check the rally area, RSVPd for the Ellipse, brought GoPro to record self and Alex.

Read
exhibitRecord on file — open to view
exhibit

Jan 1, 2021

J6 Committee timestamps - Bennie Thompson, Liz Cheney, Trump Stop the Steal tweet

Note documenting Jan 6 Committee hearing timestamps with codes (possibly evidence reference numbers): 4:03 PM Bennie Thompson "wounds visible and invisible", 8:25 PM Liz Cheney misinformation from Trump provoked the violence. Reference codes X6039BKE6, BFYR, BLAL, BF8E, BO76. Records Trump Jan 1 2021 7:55pm tweet Stop The Steal.

Read
otherRecord on file — open to view
other

Sep 27, 2019

Legal research notes: Million Man March, Neil Wolf v. DHS, DC self-defense spray code

Ryan's legal-research scratch notes referencing the Million Man March and Neil Wolf v. Dep Homeland Security; DC Code 7-2502.12 (Definition of self defense spray) and 7-2502.13 (Possession of self defense sprays). Cites Civil Action No. 17-1534 (ABJ), Sep 27, 2019.

Read
discoveryRecord on file — open to view
discovery

6th District MPD officers near Rosanne Boyland - helmet IDs

Discovery sheet identifying 6th District Metropolitan Police Department officers Carter Moore (helmet 5229), 5077, Travis Tim Johnson, Divonnie Powell (5586/5213), Foy (1213) and others standing over Rosanne Boyland in tunnel footage.

Read
letterRecord on file — open to view
letter

Amendment Violations of Lonnie Coffman (71) #376190 — meds, MRI, injection

Amendment violations of elderly J6 detainee Lonnie Coffman (age 71, #376190). Suboxone (opioid) doses out of 12-hour window required 2x/day; given 2 hrs early and 3 hrs late on numerous occasions. Never given Miranda Rights. 2 mattresses requested took 3-4 months. Osteoarthritis prevents reaching back, hygiene needs impossible. Requested MRI for shoulder 4 months, denied 4 times. Shoulder pains worse with time, rotator cuff issues completely ignored by jail medical especially after fell from table onto concrete onto left shoulder - medical decided to inject Lonnie's right shoulder with an unknown liquid. Window leak put in 4 times still gushing water onto blankets while sleeping. Jagged rusty metal throughout cell. Requested VA Rep never seen.

Read
otherRecord on file — open to view
other

Andrew Michael Cavanaugh listed among January 6 pardon-certificate recipients

The Office of the Pardon Attorney’s public recipient list includes the exact entry “CAVANAUGH, ANDREW MICHAEL.” The individual certificate PDF has not yet been captured.

Read
discoveryRecord on file — open to view
discovery

Bodycam log - guy in tunnel corner with spray can - Axon X6039BJ87

Detailed bodycam discovery log for file Sajumon-20210106-Felony-APO-Riotous-Acts-US-Capitol-Complex.mp4, Axon Body 3 X6039BJ87, identifying an individual civilian in tunnel corner with a spray can and water bottle, American flag hat, dual pink respirator cartridges, between 16:24:01 and 16:28:01 - this is exonerating evidence pointing at a different actor.

Read
discoveryRecord on file — open to view
discovery

Bodycam log page 2 - Officer Sajumon lets spray-can man walk

Page 2 of bodycam log naming Officer Sajumon, documenting that he placed hands on a civilian clearly holding a spray can in left hand at 16:29:02, patted him to send him out at 16:29:15, and let him walk back into the crowd with the spray can visible at 16:29:18 - police facilitation evidence.

Read
discoveryRecord on file — open to view
discovery

Bodycam log page 5 - Officer strikes on Kyle Fitzsimmons

Page 5 of bodycam discovery log naming co-defendant Kyle Fitzsimmons being struck over head with baton, additional officer helmet numbers, and timeline of officer violence on civilians.

Read
otherRecord on file — open to view
other

Bond Points: U.S. v. Salerno + Gorsuch quote

Ryan's notes for bail/bond motion citing U.S. v. Salerno (Supreme Court) mixed with U.S. v. Melendez-Carrion - page 747 max length of pretrial detention for Speedy Trial Act, page 748 pretrial not to be held in same facility as convicted or those waiting on appeal (WE ARE), page 750 no conditions of release has to be argued. Quote The Constitution is not suspended during times of crisis - Justice Gorsuch, cited by Ketanji Brown Jackson at confirmation hearing re Gitmo detainees indefinitely held.

Read
otherRecord on file — open to view
other

Bond Points: U.S. v. Vasquez-Benitez (DC Cir 2019) parallels to Ryan

Ryan's notes on U.S. v. Vasquez-Benitez (DC Cir 2019) drawing parallels to his own case: defendant ruled not a danger to community under Section II (Bail Reform Act Release); had wife, 2 children, job (just like me); only 1 obstruction conviction although accused of multiple crimes (Ryan: no past convictions); left his gang (Ryan: never been in a gang); demonstrated willingness to appear (Ryan: turned himself in); never convicted of violent crime. Quotes appellate court re not well-positioned to make credibility determinations.

Read
letterRecord on file — open to view
letter

Brandon Fellows page 1 — Police permission, FBI lies, Albany Jail intake

Page 1 of detailed letter from J6 defendant Brandon Fellows. Pre-arrest: police said he could enter Capitol as long as he didnt go further than statuary hall, didnt go past police-guarded areas, followed curfew - all on video. Day of arrest: agents at moms house, called him - lawyer told him not to talk without warrant. Cancelled meeting, went to news interview. After FBI arrest they "claimed I ran, tried to shove my phone up a candy vending machine and ditched my vehicle in the middle of a busy road, all lies." FBI impounded his bus. At first hearing prosecution shared lies to put him on house arrest with mother who abused him. FBI kept business/tax records and phone until a customer complained to police. Subsequent revocation hearings - prosecution lied to revoke, denied (stricter requirements); 2nd revo officer lied; 3rd revo granted over missed rescheduled therapy session. First 2 weeks at Albany Jail (less than) - cell with no sink, guards once/day, begging inmates for water, hot in just boxers, food not adequate, birds flew in and pooped during day.

Read
letterRecord on file — open to view
letter

Brandon Fellows page 2 — Marshals "you ain't shit", Curtis diabetic, Con-Air

Page 2 of Fellows letter. Albany: no running water, roaches climbed through cracks at night, no free phone call, 1 week to reach family. Constantly requested law library - 1 hour entire stay. No church, pastor, paper, pen. No kosher tray. Most days 15-30 min rec. Con-Air flights: black van 8am-12 or 2pm no AC, 10 in van, 1 man Curtis diabetic - officer Chad forgot food, said he was not allowed to leave area, finally a banana and granola bar. 3 days Troy: no law library, no contact with family, no rec, 5,000 bond, no church, no pastors. Grady County: marshals stole laces/belt, Con-Air 1: lady marshal reading file screamed "you aint shit" in his face in front of others on flight. He responded "I hope metaphase goes better for you soon" - caused 2 male marshalls to scream in face, physically threaten, force to back of plane sit on him entire ride. Con-Air 2: another angry woman, fell asleep mask below nose, woke up screaming "Mom Marshall", told to look at leaked Fauci emails that masks dont work. As punishment placed in "the box" restraint that makes it hard to eat.

Read
letterRecord on file — open to view
letter

Brandon Fellows page 3 — MS-13/cop killer escort, DC Jail SW2 6 days no poop

Page 3 of Fellows letter. Punishment plane ride: Marshall moves him to window seat alone, said something would happen (would touch him out of frustration). Marshall picks two men - MS-13 member and cop killer - sits them next to Fellows, gives them cookies, tells them "you tell me if you need anything." Surprisingly respectful political debate - both men expressed Marshall should treat him better, said he wasnt a bad guy. Marshall confronts: "Whos your judge?" "Judge Stewart." "Ill let him know what a POS you are." Got in face shoved: "Youll be back on this plane." 2 other marshals told same lies. Van ride - mocks, calls terrorist, stupid; 5 min from jail: "Almost to your new home!" Arrival DC Jail - hears "Code ICU" called for stabbing victim. Waited 4-5 hrs before brought to cell. SouthWest 2 housed 2 weeks: no church, no pastor, no kosher tray, no legal library, inadequate nutrition. 1-2 hrs rec/day except Sunday no rec letting out. Everyone else got rec daily 4-6 hrs. Wrote requests for nurse multiple times, grievances nothing. "No fruit in meals so I didnt poop for 6 days straight." Day 5 wrote/verbal requests, no nurse - tried to self medicate by pulling hardened poop bit by bit with fingers. "No toilet paper so I just washed each poop-dig with sink water - no avail." Day 6 refused to enter cell until saw nurse - guards never came - chief came down. Finally got nurse, asked why in jail.

Read
motionRecord on file — open to view
motion

Case Scope I.C.A.P - US v. North motion re: Congressional hearings & tainted jury

Drafted pro se legal argument titled Case Scope I.C.A.P. Caselaw: U.S. v. North 910 F.2d 843, 285 U.S. App. D.C. 343 (D.C. Cir. 1990). Issue: Testimony and statements made to Congress under immunity were publicly broadcasted and used to convict. Argues Jan 6 Select Committee hearings tainted any DC jury pool; Nielsen reported 20 million primetime viewers, and DC residents have been exposed.

Read
motionRecord on file — open to view
motion

Case Scope ICAP page 2 - Brady violation, Congress withholding BWC video

Page 2 of US v. North-based pro se argument. Notes 700+ witnesses called to Jan 6 Select Committee, primetime hearings selectively edited, body-worn camera and CCTV evidence shown to Congress but withheld from defense - argues this is a Brady violation. Accuses Congress of holding a Trial before the trial. Also raises protective-order asymmetry.

Read
motionRecord on file — open to view
motion

Case Scope ICAP page 3 - protective order asymmetry, change of venue, time served remedy

Page 3 of pro se argument. Demands either right to rescind protective order to mount public defense, or to exclude all video/testimony shown to Congress, media. Argues change of venue inadequate when only one side shown nationally on primetime. Concludes only fair result is time served or dismissed case.

Read

Showing 1,489–1,536 of 1,866 documents