A Maine man who allegedly held a door of the U.S. Capitol open on Jan. 6, 2021, as pro-Donald Trump rioters streamed into the building, has been charged.
The FBI received a tip that Thomas Bordeau, Sr., 16, of Peru, Maine, was in the crowd, then identified him using records obtained from Google, Meta, public video and closed circuit video, according to a statement from an FBI agent assigned to the Maine Joint Terrorism Task Force.
Bordeau “appeared to be by himself” when he entered the Upper West Terrace door of the Capitol at about 2:45 p.m., the agent said. About 10 seconds after he walked into the building, Bordeau walked back to the door and held it open for about a minute, allowing other rioters to enter and waving some of them in.
Later that day, Bordeau sent a friend a Facebook message stating, “Just left the capital We were inside the dome Somebody broke the door down We got pepper sprayed I’m walking back from the capital now…” according to court records.
The next day, he posted an upside-down American flag to his Facebook page, which the FBI agent described as a “sign of distress that was used by rioters on January 6, 2021, to convey their outrage at the results of the 2020 election.”
Bordeau faces four charges: entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds; disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds; disorderly conduct in a Capitol building; and parading, demonstrating, or picketing in any of the Capitol buildings.
The first two counts carry a maximum sentence of one year in prison and a fine of up to $100,000. The second two counts carry a maximum sentence of six months and a fine of up to $5,000.
According to court records, Bordeau is in federal custody pending his initial court appearance.
Twelve other Mainers have been charged for participating in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, according to an NPR database updated on Oct. 11.
