Joshua David Dressel, 31, who lives west of Festus, is the second person from Jefferson County to be charged for allegedly taking part in the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol.
Dressel appeared Tuesday (July 13) in the U.S. Eastern District Court of Missouri via video feed to hear the four misdemeanor charges filed against him for his alleged involvement in the assault on the Capitol, which led to the death of five people and injuries to 140 others, as well as significant damage to the building.
Federal prosecutors have charged Dressel with knowingly entering or remaining in a restricted building or grounds without lawful authority, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds and parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building.
Each of the charges for entering and remaining in a restricted building and for disorderly conduct in a restricted building are punishable by up to one year in prison and a fine of up to $100,000. Each of the charges for violent entry and for parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building are punishable by fines of up to $5,000 and one year in prison.
U.S. District Judge Noelle C. Collins read the charges against Dressel, who said he understood the charges but did not enter a plea. A lawyer for Dressel is not listed in court documents.
Dressel was released on bond, but he is restricted from traveling outside the Eastern District of Missouri without court approval. The charges against Dressel originated in Washington, D.C., where his case will continue. His appearance Tuesday in federal court in St. Louis was his initial court appearance.
Federal charging documents against Dressel had not been released as of this morning.
On Feb. 19, Nicholas Burton Reimler, 28, of Cedar Hill was charged with violent entry or disorderly conduct and entry into a restricted building or grounds in connection with the riot, both misdemeanors. He is awaiting a court date in Washington. D.C.
Dressel and Reimler are among five St. Louis area residents charged with participating in the insurrection aimed at stopping the counting of electoral votes to formalize Joe Biden’s victory over Donald Trump in the presidential election.
Eleven people from Missouri have been charged with taking part of Jan. 6 incident at the Capitol.