The January 6 Files
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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)
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Evidence the DOJ Tried to Erase
The scrubbed federal record — preserved and hash-verified.
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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.
Ryan Nichols handwritten Detention Hearing Transcripts notes page 4 (items 25-34)
Handwritten Detention Hearing notes (items 25-34) by Ryan Nichols on self-defense narrative, crowbar as prop, firearms left in Virginia, lawful weapon transport, 9-month delay in charges, gunfire questions, FBI tip-offs.
ReadRyan Nichols handwritten Detention Hearing Transcripts notes page 5 (items 35-42)
Handwritten Detention Hearing notes (items 35-42) by Ryan Nichols on third party witnesses, dropped charges, terrorist label, PTSD and service to country, disgruntled ex-employee, marijuana amounts, drug testing, obstruction without knowledge.
ReadRyan Nichols handwritten Detention Hearing Transcripts notes page 6 (items 43-50)
Handwritten Detention Hearing notes (items 43-50) by Ryan Nichols on tac vest, burned items, AR for hogs in Oklahoma, FB deletion due to FBI paranoia, unchanged appearance, dads warning, Trump quotes, prosecution lies.
ReadRyan Nichols handwritten Detention Hearing Transcripts notes page 7 - WHO IS MY VICTIM
Handwritten Detention Hearing notes (items 51-61) by Ryan Nichols asking WHO IS MY VICTIM, no firearms in DC, calling FBI to comply, plate carriers for protection from Antifa/BLM, claustrophobia, all firearms taken by FBI.
ReadRyan Nichols handwritten Detention Hearing Transcripts notes page 8 (items 62-70)
Handwritten Detention Hearing notes (items 62-70) by Ryan Nichols on cooperation, peaceful protester until attacked with batons/spray/flashbangs, preparations, drug test logic, Trump quote about reorganizing, insurrectionist label without charge.
ReadRyan Nichols handwritten Detention Hearing Transcripts notes page 9 (items 71-76)
Handwritten Detention Hearing notes (items 71-76) by Ryan Nichols disputing he led an assault, encouraged violence, pepper spray contents unknown to govt, pretrial recommendation, no evidence judge cited.
ReadRyan Nichols handwritten essay continuation - Rosanne, Ashli, nightmares
Continuation of Ryan Nicholss handwritten essay on Police Brutality, noting awareness Rosanne Boyland was beaten and Ashli Babbitt was shot, expressing ongoing PTSD nightmares.
ReadRyan Nichols handwritten essay: FB Posts & Videos Explained
Handwritten essay by Ryan Nichols titled FB Posts & Videos Explained, explaining his social media posts after Jan 6, including the by ballot or by bullet political hyperbole as part of self-defense narrative.
ReadRyan Nichols handwritten essay: Police Brutality on Jan 6th
Handwritten essay by Ryan Nichols titled Police Brutality on Jan 6th, describing flash bangs, mace/pepper spray, batons used against non-violent protesters, citing DOJ Capitol Police reports about lethal force.
ReadRyan Nichols handwritten essay: Why I Geared UP For Jan 6th
Handwritten essay by Ryan Nichols titled Why I Geared UP For Jan 6th explaining his rationale for chest protection and crowbar - 2020 riots, Antifa violence, social media warnings about Antifa attacks, Marine Corps training about sucking chest wounds.
ReadRyan Nichols handwritten essay: Why I Went To Washington D.C.
Handwritten essay by Ryan Nichols titled Why I Went To Washington D.C. explaining travel on Jan 4, 2021 to protest 2020 election, citing Trump, Giuliani, Flynn, Sidney Powell, Lin Wood, Mike Lindell, veteran sworn duty, Texas lawsuit with 17-18 states.
ReadRyan Nichols handwritten Jan 6 actors network diagram - Ray Epps, Sean McHugh, et al
Handwritten relationship/network diagram by Ryan Nichols showing connections between January 6 figures: David Dempsey, Waldo, Sunshine, Redskin, Police, Ray Epps, Sean McHugh, with notations about behavior at the Capitol.
ReadRyan Nichols handwritten Jan 6 Timeline page 1 - Ellipse, Capitol arrival, tunnel
Handwritten Jan 6 Timeline page 1 by Ryan Nichols detailing his arrival at the Ellipse, Trump speech, march to Capitol, observations of beaten/bloody people coming out of the tunnel around 3:00 PM with specific video timestamps cited.
ReadRyan Nichols handwritten Jan 6 Timeline page 2 - Officer Fanone, heave-ho, pepper spray
Handwritten Jan 6 Timeline page 2 by Ryan Nichols detailing the tunnel/stairwell incident: Officer Fanone being pulled down, helping him, heave-ho call, being sprayed multiple times by officer on ledge, with detailed video timestamps.
ReadRyan Nichols handwritten Jan 6 Timeline page 3 - spray officer, Officer L359, Rosanne Boyland
Handwritten Jan 6 Timeline page 3 by Ryan Nichols documenting his spray of officers in self-defense at 4:02 PM, witnessing Officer L359 beating men and women, the blonde woman being stomped (Rosanne Boyland), entering Capitol window, and bullhorn moments.
ReadRyan Nichols handwritten Jan 6 Timeline page 4 - Rosanne Boyland beating, Officer Lila Morris
Handwritten Jan 6 Timeline page 4 (items 16-21) documenting the beating of Rosanne Boyland by Officer Lila Morris at 4:28 PM, chest compressions, officers signaling to remove her body, and Ryan and Alex leaving the Capitol.
ReadRyan Nichols handwritten Timeline - post-Jan 6 events through FBI arrest
Handwritten Timeline page 5 by Ryan Nichols detailing post-Jan 6 events: news narrative, fleeing to Texas, FBI surveillance, FBI raid on Jan 18, jail transfers across Texas counties, flight to DC.
ReadRyan Nichols handwritten Timeline Jan 5 - arrival in VA, BLM/Antifa, GoPro videos
Handwritten timeline page for Jan 5 detailing Ryan Nicholss arrival in Virginia, viewing the White House, encountering BLM/Antifa protests, his anti-Antifa speech, with GoPro video references and timestamps.
ReadSeparate Texas Silencer Case Against Guy Reffitt Dismissed
Reporting that a Texas federal judge granted the government’s motion to dismiss the separate unregistered-silencer prosecution in March 2025.
ReadSgt. Shawn Franklin work performance comments — Nichols outstanding detail squad member
Character/work performance statement from Sgt. Shawn Franklin (C Building Zone Supervisor) regarding Ryan Nichols (DCDC 376-795). States Nichols has been outstanding in-housed detail squad member since March 9, 2021, mentor, morale booster.
ReadSgt. Shawn Franklin work performance comments — Nichols outstanding, no disciplinary reports
Glowing character/work performance statement from Sgt. Shawn Franklin, C Building Zone Supervisor at the Correctional Treatment Facility, regarding Inmate Ryan Nichols (DCDC 376-795). States Nichols has had zero adverse actions or disciplinary reports, serves as mentor/morale booster, mediates disputes, and recommends him for next position.
ReadShane Jenkins #377186 — FDC Houston, SSSS flag, Fairlamb/Holmes incident
Letter from Shane Jenkins #377186. 11 days no shower at FDC Houston. Early morning military style raid with bull horns, laser beams, armored personnel carrier, both ends of street blocked. No phone 26 days. After 11 days shower only MWF, no free calls, 15 minutes shower MWF only. Filed complaint w/ US Marshalls re inmates calling him "racist ass white boy" "racist ass Trump supporter" - nothing done. February Denver ski trip with church Singles ministry - SSSS on boarding pass, super intrusive pat down, electronics swabbed for explosives, bomb sniffing dog, second-time pulled aside - "humiliated and treated like a terrorist." Transported in black box restraint over cuffs/shackles. In DC denied attorney access weeks, placed in PC against will. Requested chaplain brought Catholic Knights of Malta Bible (not James or NKJV). No church/volunteers - given Farrakhan News letters promoting racism. Law library never accessible. No books/vending in quarantine. Mail held at least 2 months. Northern Neck Regional Jail diet doesnt meet federal guidelines. Witnessed Officer Holmes threaten and run into Scott Fairlamb cell with 3 officers - Fairlamb said "Fuck America" re J6 detainees singing anthem and God Bless America.
ReadSpray Incident - Officers Viewpoint timecode p1 (Fanone, white shirt cop)
Page 1 of detailed video-timecode log titled Spray Incident - Officers Viewpoint. Actual time 16:02:34 Ryan sprays. 7min 43sec: Is Fanone in hallway? Left hand side. White shirt cop starts assaulting helpless woman with baton and fists. Relentless - Woman in Red shirt. Officer on ledge grabs baton of white shirt cop after he hit protestors 7 times in the head. 9:30 video time: officer in white shirt has struck 28 times. 11:24 officer punches woman in red shirt with left hand. 14:01 officer batons man out of tunnel in back and back of the head - Helmet #4011.
ReadSteven Patrick Cook — FBI Statement of Facts Source Lead
Archived DOJ case-list link for Cook’s FBI Statement of Facts. The filing contains accusation-stage material and must not be treated as an independent finding. Native binary capture remains pending.
ReadTestimony of Kelly Meggs — Forms forged, Cap Police civil suit served (p.3)
Page 3 of Meggs testimony. Housed in solitary without request - forms signed for them when they refused (refused 3 times then form signed for him). No video visits despite rest of jail having them. No video visits with attorney. "Have seen 0 evidence of my charges other than a copy of a few documents." Attorney calls take weeks. Food horrible no nutrition - all carb/fat/soy. Cells rust and mold. No chiropractic - "Too bad, we don't do that", denied additional mattress for back pain. Rusty shower areas. In-person Capitol Police served civil suit via guy with visitor tag - did not have to quarantine, but legal visits require detainee quarantine/lockdown. Beyond 24 hours no food or water on arrival.
ReadTestimony of Kelly Meggs — Samsel beaten, Coffman missed meds, AC off 4 days (p.2)
Page 2 of Meggs testimony. Sgt Franklin & CPL Hubbard ("both great people") had preconceived white supremacist/racist notions from staff/media. No bail at 52 with no prior arrests, designated terrorist at FL bond hearing over "destruction charge" DOJ now says no evidence of but won't drop to keep him detained. Heard screams at 3:15-3:30am - found out next day Ryan Samsel had been brutally beaten in next pod. Lonnie Coffman age 72 several times 3-4 hrs late for medication every 12 hours. In June AC turned off 4 days in C2B at 95+F, slept on concrete floor in underwear.
ReadThats One Big Flag timeline - sledgehammer handed TO police at 5:25
Timeline of "Thats One Big Flag" video starting 3:54:11 PM. Critical: at 5:14-5:25 Waldo grabs sledgehammer and HANDS IT IN TO POLICE. Documents Window Recorder coordinating with others, Red Face man (Redskin), and orange beanie tac-vest man arguing with Waldo pulling him off wall.
ReadThe Final Call - p1 DC DOC discrimination, BLM threat
Page 1 of Ryan Nichols essay titled The Final Call. Documents arrival at DC DOC jail: discrimination/persecution based on race, religion, political views; officers recording shackled detainees as social-media selfies; verbal abuse Ryan terms psychological torture; threats to be moved next door to CDF side where the real BLM members are and the stabbing happens for asking for a tablet.
ReadThe Final Call - p3 Redneck Pod, Kash Kelly, Troy Smocks
Page 3 of The Final Call essay. Describes The Final Call newspaper calling the White Race a race of beasts costing the Black race their lives, chaplain distributing it weekly. Sgts/Lts referring to J6 unit as the Redneck Pod. Black J6 inmates Kash Kelly and Troy Smocks told Ryan that without them in the pod, the jail would make it much harder on the white people in here.
ReadThings to Check - Red Flags discovery checklist (Gina Bisignano etc.)
Defense red-flags checklist - Gina Bisignano arrest database, unknown LV phone-recording lady, Frogman patch named White, Waldo talking into mic at 0:21, fire-extinguisher label HJR-46H, multiple protesters with red spray bottles at 46:16, wind direction inquiry, Infowars video timestamps showing officers leaving shields/batons/spray bottles unattended, chain-of-custody concerns.
ReadTimeline - p10 (Officer Holmes, Cpl Hayes vs Kash Kelly, Zoloft)
Page 10 of timeline. Continues June 1-2 Officer Holmes Beat his ass incident (grievances filed, he brought them back crossed by him). Cpl Hayes calling in on his day off to harass Kash (Kelly); Cpl Hayes removed from unit. The Final Call newspaper passed around jail telling about how the White Race is bad - Racial discrimination. Got back on Zoloft July/Aug for mental health. Officers from Mar 9 - July/Aug would hit door middle of night to wake security team. Margin notes 1st 11:45AM, ext alarm 4:30am-4:45am.
ReadTimeline - p8 (DC DOC arrival conditions, bologna diet, breakfast sabotage)
Page 8 of timeline detailing DC DOC arrival conditions: no shower 4-5 days, no cell exit 6-7 days, no phone 8-10 days. Officer harassment, threats to move to BLM side and be stabbed if they didnt act right. Bologna 4/7 nights per week, weight loss, commissary the only way to keep weight on. Breakfast intentionally delivered 1:30-4am to wake them up, lights on, doors slammed - Ryan finally made a sign refusing breakfast to get sleep.
ReadTimeline - What I Remember p1 (J6 pre-trip prep)
Page 1 of Ryan Nichols timeline of recollections leading to January 6. Lists Trump posting about being in DC on Jan 6 and the Insurrection Act on FB; followed Trump, Giuliani, Sidney Powell, General Flynn, Lin Wood, Mike Lindell; built gun box with father Don to stay weapons-compliant; brought 10 round mags (no high-capacity); Antifa/BLM violence concerns; borrowed body armor; considered driving to Kentucky for armor.
ReadTimothy Hale (Hale-Cusanelli #376441) veteran witness statement (signed)
Timothy Hale veteran statement listing experiences in DC DOC: religious discrimination, ideological repression, no nutrition or gym access, extended solitary, no veterans/mental health services, mail/phone/electronic abuses, denial of legal counsel, mold/insects, targeted political/racial harassment by staff, jailhouse-snitch sabotage, restricted law library, and 1.5 years isolation. Specifically references Ryan Nichols' decline. Signed Timothy Hale #376441.
ReadUnconstitutional Conditions of Confinement habeas outline (Chandler v DC DOC)
Ryan's outline for Writ of Habeas Corpus on unconstitutional conditions of confinement and due-process violations. Lists Eighth Amendment cruel/unusual punishment incidents: Pussy Ass Cracker incident Sep 18; J. Johnson white privilege incident Nov 17; mace sprayed/everyone choking Nov 29; Staff Appreciation Day lockdown; Dec 18 & 19 24-hour lockdown. Cases: 1) Chandler v District of Columbia Dept of Corrections; 2) Irish Republican Army Hunger strike Bobby Sands.
ReadUnited States v. Meredith — Public Docket Mirror
Public docket mirror for D.D.C. No. 1:21-cr-00159-ABJ. It provides filing chronology and counsel names. It is a secondary docket source and does not replace PACER or RECAP; the legal-research connector required manual reauthentication during this review.
ReadVideo timecode analysis: I cant breathe, Thats one Big Flag
Detailed video timecode analysis of January 6 footage. Notes Kambria Caldwell email kambriaa.caldwell@yahoo.com (Kami on family chat) for sending video links/news articles. Compares two videos: I cant breathe (57 seconds start, 1:16:06) and Patriots Storm US Capitol/Officers viewpoint (15:51:42 start) and Thats one Big Flag (15:54:10), demonstrating crowd chanting Pull the cops out, USA chants overtake it at 1:04, spray canister coming into view at 3:02 passed up to Alex then back, man yelling Knock that gd damn window out.
ReadVideo timestamp cross-reference: Patriots Storm vs Officers View (with Alex Harkrider)
Detailed handwritten cross-reference of two J6 videos (PSUSC and Officers View) with synchronized timestamps documenting officers spraying themselves, woman in red being beaten, and man in red being repeatedly sprayed by police. Notes Ryan and Alex Harkrider were 10-15 feet away. Material exculpatory evidence regarding police misconduct.
ReadVideo timestamps page 2: blond woman beaten, Ryan looking on
Continued handwritten video log documenting Capitol Police officer-on-protester violence (kick to face, heel stomps on blonde-haired woman) with Ryan Nichols positioned as eyewitness 5-10 feet away at 4:11:22 PM. Direct exculpatory evidence pertinent to compensation claim.
ReadWhy I Brought Guns - Militia definition & Article 2 Section 2
Page 3 of statement. Defines militia per Merriam-Webster, clarifies intent of guns was personal protection to/from Virginia, not into DC unless Insurrection Act signed. Cites Article 2 Section 2 of the Constitution on President as Commander in Chief.
ReadWhy I Brought Guns to D.C. - reasons 1 & 2 (Insurrection Act)
Page 2 of personal statement. Explains two reasons for bringing guns toward DC: (1) protection while crossing US by vehicle in legal manner with separated ammo, (2) President Trump posting about the Insurrection Act on social media, leading him to interpret call for militia as directed toward him as a former Armed Forces member.
ReadWhy I Marched TO The Capitol - statement page 1
Handwritten statement explaining decision to march to Capitol. References Trump speech at Ellipse and his directive to march down Pennsylvania Ave. References related Statements Trump Made Jan 6th paper.
ReadWork Performance Comments — Sgt. Franklin: Outstanding Detail Squad Member
Work Performance Comments (second/shorter narrative) by Sergeant Shawn Franklin, C Building Zone Supervisor. Inmate Nichols, Ryan, DCDC# 376-795, housed in C2B since entering Correctional Treatment Facility (CTF). Outstanding in-housed detail squad member since assignment 3/9/2021. Ensures cleanliness of entire housing unit with little to no supervision. 100% effort. Positive institutional behavior with staff and population. Mentor and morale booster. Likely a companion to scan 031.
ReadWork Performance Comments — Sgt. Shawn Franklin Recommends Nichols
Work Performance Comments narrative authored by Sergeant Shawn Franklin, C Building Zone Supervisor at Correctional Treatment Facility (CTF, DC DOC). States inmate Nichols, Ryan, DCDC# 376-795, has been housed in C2B since entering CTF, has been outstanding, natural leader, 100% effort. Since entering CTF, Inmate Nichols hasnt had any adverse action or any Disciplinary Reports for negative institutional behavior. Mentor used daily by uniform and non-uniform staff. Morale booster and counselor. Recommends Nichols be given next position based on excellent work ethic and positive institutional behavior.
ReadArgument notes: influencing a juror, racial prejudice analogy, Tyler FBI/Fitzer
Handwritten supporting argument for Motion to Dismiss: discusses sitting President influencing jury pool, influence of racial prejudice citing case reversal if found, the hypothetical "if Biden said blacks are the enemy of the state", asks how MAGA Republicans are fair game for sub-constitutional treatment. References Tyler FBI supervisor and Jeffery Fifer.
ReadBodycam log page 2 - officer helmet numbers and timestamps
Handwritten discovery notes logging video timestamps with corresponding officer helmet numbers and behaviors (spraying crowd, signaling to stop) for use identifying officers in J6 footage.
ReadBodycam log page 3 - Spray Incident Officers Viewpoint
Continuation of bodycam discovery log titled "Spray Incident - Officers Viewpoint" cataloging timestamps, helmet numbers, and officer behavior including spraying civilians with hands up, lieutenant rank, baton strikes to protester face.
ReadBodycam log page 4 - Capitol Police violence timestamps
Page 4 of bodycam discovery log documenting Capitol Police officer violence: white shirt officer punching woman, baton strikes to face, blood on hat, officers striking each other.
ReadShowing 1,681–1,728 of 1,866 documents