State Department officer pleads guilty for Capitol attack in 2021
- Kevin Michael Alstrup, a State Department diplomatic security officer, pleaded guilty to charges related to the January 6 Capitol attack.
- He entered the Capitol building through breached doors, took photographs, and left after about 28 minutes.
- His actions have raised concerns about accountability for individuals in security roles during the Capitol riot.
On January 6, 2021, Kevin Michael Alstrup, a U.S. State Department diplomatic security officer, participated in the attack on the Capitol. He entered the building through the Senate Wing doors after they were breached by other rioters and took photographs inside before exiting approximately 28 minutes later. Alstrup was arrested in February 2021 in Washington, D.C., where he resided at the time of the riot. Alstrup pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor charges: disorderly conduct and parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building. Each charge carries a maximum sentence of six months in prison. His sentencing is scheduled for February 12, 2024, under U.S. District Judge Randolph Moss. The FBI identified Alstrup through a photograph taken during the riot, and it was noted that he had experience in providing security for high-ranking officials due to his role at the State Department. This background raises concerns about the actions of someone in a security position participating in such unlawful activities. The State Department has expressed its support for the Department of Justice's efforts to hold individuals accountable for their actions during the Capitol attack. Alstrup is among approximately 1,500 individuals charged with crimes related to the riot, with over 900 having pleaded guilty and more than 200 convicted after trials.