The January 6 Files
Where do you
want to start?
Two ways in. Both free, both public.
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
Evidence the DOJ Tried to Erase
The scrubbed federal record — preserved and hash-verified.
The Map Room — LIVE
Who's reading the case right now, on a live world map.
Accountability Index
Everyone named in the record, grouped by agency.
The Nexus
Force-directed graph of the co-defendant network.
The Timeline
Every arrest and sentencing, month by month.
The Geography
Every J6 defendant plotted by home state.
Handwritten notes: Tunnel bodycam X60393CV6 — Sgt Terrance Watford
Detailed handwritten notes on a tunnel bodycam (serial X60393CV6) tied to Sgt Terrance Watford, including timestamps where the sergeant orders pepper spray to stop and references chain of command investigation.
ReadHandwritten notes: Tunnel bodycam X6039BJFT (Jonathan Chen)
Handwritten evidence notes on a tunnel bodycam serial number, officer Jonathan Chen, and a moment about an ambulance unable to reach victims; references officer Edmondson commanding rioter.
ReadHandwritten notes: Tunnel video evidence X60396D7A — woman dying
Handwritten notes citing tunnel video evidence with serial X60396D7A and timestamp 16:01:15 — a woman dying from lack of oxygen, likely referencing Rosanne Boyland.
ReadHandwritten notes: Tunnel video X6039BJJA (Henry Foulds) — slurs/violence
Handwritten evidence notes documenting officer Henry Foulds tunnel bodycam with timestamps where officers speak about killing victims and use slurs.
ReadHandwritten notes: Videos I have watched (Tara Tindall brutality)
Notes by Ryan tracking discovery videos he reviewed, including search methodology and a brutality reference involving Officer Tara Tindall.
ReadHandwritten table: The 1/6 Goon Squad — officer bodycam serials
Detailed handwritten table titled "The 1/6 Goon Squad" listing tunnel officer serial numbers paired with names, ranks, and noted actions (spraying, tasering).
ReadHate mail to Kelly Meggs from Orlando FL — mocks GiveSendGo, threatens 20-year sentence
Anonymous typed postcard to Kelly Meggs (Oath Keeper co-defendant) explicitly mocking GiveSendGo-crowdsourced harassment and Oath Keepers cooperators. Threatens 20-year sentence for seditious conspiracy. Cites John 8:32. KEY EVIDENCE that GiveSendGo-driven hate mail campaign described by Meggs also targeted Ryan Nichols.
ReadHearing Transcript p.18 — McBride: FBI Raid, Self-Surrender, Munchel/Tanios
Page 18 of a federal court hearing transcript. Defense attorney Joseph McBride argues that FBI raided Ryan Nicholss home in Longview while he was in Oklahoma over MLK weekend visiting in-laws; Nichols self-surrendered within four hours, cooperated, was interviewed by FBI, never tried to flee. McBride cites D.C. Circuit decisions U.S. v. Munchel and U.S. v. Tanios on future dangerousness.
ReadHis Pants Are Falling Down timeline - Ryan enters window 4:14:28 PM
Video timeline ("His Pants Are Falling Down" video starting 4:12:38 PM) cross-referencing Officers Viewpoint and Patriots Storm videos. Ryan entered through window at 4:14:28 PM. Names Robert Morss, Anthony Antonio, Sunshine, Waldo, Window Recorder, Redskin, and CK Hat man adjusting earpiece - strong undercover suspect evidence.
ReadI Cant Breathe (on the steps) timeline - Roseanne chest compressions, police spray anyway
CRITICAL evidence. Timeline of "I Cant Breathe (on the steps)" video starting 4:25:30 PM showing Roseanne Boyland receiving chest compressions while sheriff-vested protester waved police back. Notes: 2:59 chest compressions on Roseanne. 3:34 They're signaling to police about Roseanne. 3:41 Police spraying anyways. Documents Redskin (suspected provocateur) signaling "halt" or "stop".
ReadImportant Media Cams Cut Off - DC camera analysis 9000-9014
Handwritten investigative notes documenting DC media/security cameras (9000-9014 series) that were turned off, disabled, or working by 1:05pm on Jan 6. Notes which cameras at Garfield Circle, 1st & Maryland, 3rd St NW, Constitution Ave & Senate Park, Louisiana & C NW were disabled vs working. Critical chain-of-custody/surveillance evidence.
ReadJames McGrew veteran witness statement re DC DOC (p.1)
James McGrew (USMC Veteran, honorable discharge 2007, 60% disabled, IED blast 2005) page 1: VA records well-documented; DC DOC ignored his requests for over a year to get VA records and prescribe medications; constant hyper-vigilance since off meds; nightmares of war.
ReadJan 6 phone recovery + FBI investigation discovery log
Discovery log naming FBI Agent Johannes investigating Officers Aaron Hunter, Jenkins, and Moore body cam footage relating to Rosanne Boylands death - chest compressions at 16:30:02, dragging at 16:30:11, laying dead at 16:27:55, with bodycam IDs X6039BFKP.
ReadJessica Watkins witness statement re Ryan Nichols decline in C2B
Jessica Watkins (DC DOC #376520) describes Ryan Nichols arriving in unit C2B as a proud Marine and father who provided encouragement, then deteriorating after six months into a moody, irritable, reclusive state due to harassment, conditions, and lack of hygiene/nutrition.
ReadJury Tampering/Bias - legal research case list
Handwritten legal research notes on jury tampering/bias precedents. Lists Oliver North (Iran/Contra), Kastigar Hearings, Writ of Mandamus, U.S. v. Slatten (Blackwater), U.S. v. Tsarnaev (Boston Bomber - sentence vacated by appeal, jurors media exposure questionnaire, expanded jury pool 1,373 jurors), Batson v. Kentucky (Black juror discrimination), Delaney v. United States (1952). Suggests defense theory of expanded jury pool / Republican juror inclusion.
ReadKhater — Hayes "beat Ryan Samsel", 6 days lockdown Trump bday (p.4)
Page 4 of Khater letter - critical evidence. Names officer Hayes "purposefully walking around intimidating us, saying hes gonna write DRs (Disciplinary Reports) on us, you know what youre looking at? A proud blackman." Khater alleges Hayes "beat Ryan Samsel up and ziptied his hands behind his back. Ryan almost lost his sight in one eye and had blood clots. They had to take him out of here and to a medical facility in VA." Breakfast at 2:30AM, lights at night. Shackled wherever moved despite being pretrial detainees. "Locked us down for over 6 DAYS STRAIGHT for Trumps Birthday - only let us shower once (hardly 10 minutes). It also happened to be my brothers birthday, and they wouldnt even let me make a couple private phone calls." Service turned off all tablets. Discovery taken from Jorden, threatened him.
ReadKhater — Lonnie spray threat, J6 hearings blasted, SERE tactics (p.5)
Page 5 of Khater letter. Armstrong threatened to spray Lonnie C (71 years old) when he didnt want to quarantine after in-person meeting - shackled/chained him daily for medical. Moldy fish patties (mold appearing hours after delivery). No discovery in over a month. Fire alarm "tested" 1-2x/week at odd hours. Threats to send to Gen Pop "where people get stabbed every day." 26-hour lockdown every other day. No VA services. Recording detainees with personal cell phones. "Blasted Jan 6 committee on both TVs and laughed at us - some people didnt want to watch it or hear it." Asked Allen why locked down 6 days - said no shakedowns. Vitamins/cardiac diet denied even after blood results. Jeff M (military) said it matches SERE School tactics (Survival Evasion Resistance Escape) for POWs - isolation, psych abuse, malnutrition, sleep deprivation, denying basic human rights, denying due process.
ReadLady in Red Shirt page 3 - bloody, beaten, collapses; officer 6573 named
Page 3 of Lady in Red timeline: documents blood on her white shirt, repeated beating/punching by white-shirt cop, collapse, and identifies officer 6573 by badge number. Cross-references PSUSC video confirming Ryan was 5-10 feet away at 4:11:22 PM and could see/hear everything.
ReadLady in Red Shirt timeline page 2 - USCH bodycam cross-reference
Page 2 of Lady in Red timeline including specific Capitol Police bodycam ID 0074 USCH BA Lower W Terrace Door Exterior. Documents Ryan and Lady in Red BOTH being sprayed by police at 6:09, Lady yelling in pain, and white-shirted officer hitting her over head and knocking MAGA hat off at 9:14.
ReadLady in Red Shirt: 34 strikes in 4.5 min - cross-referenced video timeline
Detailed witness log titled "Lady In Red Shirt - 34 strikes +/- in 4.5 minutes" cross-referencing two J6 videos ("That's One Big Flag!" and "Cameras of Mass Destruction") tracking a woman in MAGA hat and red shirt being repeatedly pushed/pulled into the hallway entrance area where police started spraying. Ryan admits to spraying (mace) with her struggling in front of him.
ReadLeadership Role page 2 - Officer Fanone, Trump tweet, Mayor Bowser
Page 2 of Leadership Role statement. Says he wasn't a leader at Capitol, names Officer Fanone (whom he helped save), notes that when Trump tweeted to go home and Mayor Bowser declared curfew, people listened and left INCLUDING us. Also references his own bullhorn use.
ReadLeadership Role page 3 - bullhorn use, denies leading anyone
Page 3 of Leadership statement. Explains the bullhorn use - reacting to hearing women had been killed in hallway, spoke 1-2 minutes letting others know what was happening. Says he then left. Concludes his leadership role was zero - Alex Harkrider decided independently to go, and Trump told the crowd to go to Capitol.
ReadLeadership Role page 4 - 100% a follower, not a leader
Final page of Leadership Role statement. Declares Ryan Nichols was just an ordinary man in a crowd of thousands, not a leader on Jan 6, was 100% a follower in charge of his actions alone.
ReadLegal research notes: Speed v US, Bell v Wolfish, Mandela rules
Handwritten legal research notes citing Entrapment by Estoppel; Speed v United States 562 A 2d 124 (DC 1989) DC Code 22-505 on right of citizen to defend against officers excessive force; Dr David Walls-Kaufman DC chiropractor (not charged, on video assaulting in hallway); Taylor F. Taranto; Robert Reeder picketing, registered Dem, on video assaulting police; Bell v Wolfish on pretrial release vs punishment 441 US 520; Hendrickson v Kingsley 2015 (7th Cir 2015); Nelson Mandela rules - international rules for solitary confinement.
ReadMy Leadership Role For Jan 6th - personal statement
Handwritten statement addressing his role on January 6. Says only leadership was volunteering his truck and paying for gas, food, and hotel for Alex (Alex Harkrider, co-defendant). Notes he had no plan beyond Trump telling people to show up at the Ellipse.
ReadNumbered grievance list: hard drive missing, denied meds, Officer King slur
Handwritten numbered list of 9 grievances after being placed in the hole: hard drive disappeared, no evidence.com access, no meds 48+ hours, denied mental health visits despite ERT direction, sleep deprivation, denied outside counsel, punishment without finding of guilt, motion claims he did not pick up a chair when he admits he did, Officer King referred to him as insurrectionist, no pens/pencils.
ReadOfficers In Hallway - Capitol PD helmet number log
Handwritten list titled Officers In Hallway recording Capitol Police helmet numbers from January 6 footage. Includes Helmet L3 (Lieutenant rank with white shirt, ring on left ring finger, watch on left wrist), 4244/4744/4344, 3744 (name tape at 12:44), 0768/076A, 658, 5701/5707, 5016, 4640, 2354.
ReadOfficers In Hallway - helmet log p2 (King-2 Capitol Police)
Continuation of helmet-number log. Includes Helmet 3757/3767, 607/807 (807 circled), King-2 (Capitol Police), 3715, 4011, 8779/6779/S779.
ReadOfficers Viewpoint 15:57:42 - communication breakdown analysis
Officer-perspective bodycam analysis (timestamp 15:57:42) documenting a protester communicating with police (thumbs up signal) trying to help downed officers, then officer on ledge unnecessarily spraying everyone including helpful protesters - demonstrating police communication breakdown and inappropriate force.
ReadOne Big Flag timeline page 2 - Clear Goggles accuses Waldo of working with police
Page 2 of Big Flag timeline. CRITICAL: 7:57 - Clear Goggles accuses Waldo of working with police; Waldo shakes his Trump garments and explains he's "one of us". Documents agent-provocateur dynamic. Names additional figures: Sunshine, Frogman, Window Recorder, Blue Lives Matter mask man.
ReadOne Big Flag timeline page 3 - Window Recorder "He's spraying patriots"
Page 3 (final) of Big Flag timeline. Documents Window Recorder yelling about Clear Goggles "He's spraying patriots", a man in blue yelling "Drag him out", Redskin passing a baton up to the front, and Golf hat man holding up a closed fist signaling "stop" or "halt". Suggests provocateur activity.
ReadPatriots Storm timeline page 2 - Camo Pants, Ben Gay, Sunshine, Waldo
Page 2 of Patriots Storm timeline naming other J6 figures: Camo Pants (man with helmet, American Flag mask, camo army fatigue pants), Ben Gay, Sunshine. Notes Camo Pants throwing things at police, Waldo & Sunshine REFUSING the spray can being handed to them by shaking heads no.
ReadPatriots Storm timeline page 3 - spray can passing, Ryan on microphone 4:16 PM
Page 3 of Patriots Storm timeline tracking spray can being passed (Waldo, Sunshine, Camo Pants), blonde woman emerging from tunnel after being kicked, Ryan talking on microphone at AT LEAST 4:16:04 PM, and CK Hat (Couy Griffin?) on microphone.
ReadPatriots Storm timeline page 4 - Roseanne Boyland death time 4:17:22 PM
Page 4 of Patriots Storm timeline. CRITICAL: documents 1:12:58 - "The Police fog the hallway while I'm talking. This is said to be the time Roseanne died and other people choked on these specific fumes. Time is AT LEAST 4:17:22 PM." Notes Trump telling people to go home at 1:17:17 and timestamp 4:34 PM RSBN. Direct material evidence on Roseanne Boyland's death.
ReadPatriots Storm timeline page 5 - Ryan exits window 4:35 PM, CK Man undercover
Page 5 of Patriots Storm timeline. Documents Ryan and Alex exiting window at 4:35 PM (RSBN). Critical observations of "CK Man" suspected to be undercover: hand over ears (talking on phone), signaling to someone, possible earpiece in left ear. Window Recorder covering face/lens.
ReadPatriots Storm US Capitol Timeline - Anthony Antonio/Waldo/Fanone
Detailed video timeline naming Anthony Antonio (Trump 2020 scarf, same as Waldo), older man on ledge directing traffic, Alex & Ryan entering hallway, Fanone being pulled into crowd at 3:18-3:21 PM. Anthony Antonio telling crowd "this is a peaceful protest now", crowd believed people inside were peaceful.
ReadPeter Stager — request for copies for legal team Price Benowitz LLP, refs IGP #20220328-492
Handwritten Peter Stager note requesting copies of documents to be sent to his legal team, Price Benowitz LLP, 409 7th Street NW, Suite 200, Washington DC 20004. Signed Peter F. Stager. Second paragraph: has additional documents from a write-up he was "falsely accused and convicted of" and appealed to the warden with no reply to date; tracked under IGP #20220328-492.
ReadPeter Stager — signed closing: not destroying officers, fixing a broken system
Final page of Peter Stager handwritten witness statement. Closing paragraph signed by Peter F. Stager: "Im not trying to destroy the officers life or career. I just want to fix a broken system to prevent this type of injustice from happening to a detainee or inmate." Lone "I" begins next section. Pairs with scan 003 as continuation/closing of IGP #20220201-685 statement.
ReadPre-Trial Release notes for attorney McBride
Handwritten notes by Ryan Nichols for attorney Joseph McBride on pre-trial release arguments. Cites US v. Sinmyah Amera Ceasar (Nos 19-2881(L), 19-2892), an alleged ISIS terrorist released pretrial with ankle monitor, and US v. Melendez ruling pretrial detention based solely on alleged dangerousness unconstitutional past 8 months. Notes Ryan was helping people in the hallway, built a gun box for legal compliance, did not bring weapons into DC, owns RTU search-and-rescue non-profit.
ReadReply to Govt Opposition p2: distinguishing Tsarnaev, Skilling, Yousef, Haldeman, McVeigh
Page 2 of 8. Distinguishes governments cited precedents: Boston Marathon bomber (In re Tsarnaev 780 F.3d 14), Enron (Skilling v. US 561 U.S. 358), WTC attacks (US v. Yousef 327 F.3d 56, US v. Moussaoui 43 F.Appx 612), Watergate (US v. Haldeman 559 F.2d 31), and Oklahoma City (US v. McVeigh 918 F.Supp. 1467). Footnote: Government fails to address US v. Oliver North.
ReadReply to Govt Opposition p3: Obama/Clinton/Bush counterexamples
Page 3 of 8. Distinguishes that no prior President demonized identifiable class of citizens during prosecution - Obama narrowly directed his remarks after Boston Marathon, Clinton did not demonize Gulf War vets after Oklahoma, Bush did not demonize energy employees after Enron. Argues J6 Defendants now characterized as domestic extremists already presumed guilty.
ReadReply to Govt Opposition p4: 9/11 counterexample, Bushs Islam is Peace speech
Page 4 of 8. Argues WTC attacks would be analogous only if Bush had declared war on Islam. Includes hypothetical re-write of Red Speech substituting Islam for MAGA. Cites Bushs Sept 17 2001 Islam is Peace speech at Islamic Center of Washington DC as opposite. Footnote 3 cites georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov.
ReadReply to Govt Opposition p5: Bush vs Biden contrasted, calls to action
Page 5 of 8. Contrasts Bushs Islam-is-peace stance with Bidens distinction between Republicans and MAGA Republicans, Biden quoting Judge Luttig that MAGA is clear and present danger. Argues Biden suggests courts have already declared MAGA guilty of sedition/insurrection. Bushs call to action was for school children to write letters to Muslim children; Bidens was defending democracy against MAGA.
ReadReply to Govt Opposition p6: defend our democracy, J6 Committee theory
Page 6 of 8. Quotes Bidens Red Speech "I will defend our democracy with every fiber of my being." Notes J6 Committees underlying theory that single presidential speech can inspire crime. Cites Rep. Aguilars opening statement playing Trump-Pence clip followed by clip of Nichols walking to Capitol expressing anger about Pence.
ReadReply to Govt Opposition p7: defend democracy in jurors box, 95% DC Biden voters
Page 7 of 8. Argues that if Congress can rule a Presidents speech influences citizens to break law, the Court must apply same rule to Bidens Red Speech demonizing MAGA. Particularly acute in DC where 95% of potential jurors voted for Biden. Alternative: change of venue per ECF No. 157. Asks Court to consider Red Speech as if it were governments opening/closing statement.
ReadRyan Nichols handwritten Detention Hearing Transcripts notes page 1
Handwritten notes by Ryan Nichols analyzing his Detention Hearing Transcripts (items 1-8) - raising ineffective assistance of counsel claim, noting Congress was no longer in session when he arrived, and discussing first aid kits.
ReadRyan Nichols handwritten Detention Hearing Transcripts notes page 2 - drugs, guns, intent
Handwritten notes by Ryan Nichols continuing analysis of his Detention Hearing Transcripts (items 9-15), covering travel, drug references (legal Ketamine for PTSD/anxiety, mushrooms, DMT), legal gun transport, BLM/Antifa concerns, Insurrection Act discussions.
ReadRyan Nichols handwritten Detention Hearing Transcripts notes page 3 - bodycam, Waldo, pepper spray
Handwritten Detention Hearing notes (items 16-24) by Ryan Nichols challenging his counsels handover of evidence, bodycam red light meaning, video retention, Waldo being sprayed, pepper spray chain of custody questions.
ReadShowing 1,633–1,680 of 1,866 documents