A Blue Springs man and his son have been arrested for their actions during the January 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol in 2021.
Toney Sheldon Bray, 46, and Ethan Bray, 25, were taken into custody less than two weeks ago for disrupting a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election.
According to court documents, Toney and Ethan Bray were part of the initial breach of police barricades at Peace Circle where they pushed and climbed over the barriers. As the Brays and other rioters approached the first set of barricades, “AREA CLOSED” signs were affixed to the barriers.
The Brays entered the U.S. Capitol Building at approximately 2:22 p.m. through the Senate Wing Door and moved toward the Crypt as captured on Capitol CCTV footage.
Once inside the Capitol, the Brays — who were wearing gas masks — moved towards the Rotunda, where they were again captured in an open-source photo and Capitol CCTV at approximately 2:36 p.m.
After moving between the hallway and the Rotunda for some time, both men ultimately exited through the Rotunda doors leading to the East Front of the Capitol at approximately 2:54 p.m.
In total, the Brays were inside the Capitol for a total of 32 minutes.
After leaving the Rotunda, open-source and Capitol CCTV footage captured Toney Bray carrying a U.S. Capitol Police riot shield.
Both men have been charged with obstruction of law enforcement during a civil disorder, a felony, knowingly entering or 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 a Capitol building.
Toney Bray is also charged with theft of government property.
The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Jackson and Washington Field Offices. Assistance was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.
In the 29 months since January 6, 2021, more than 1,000 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including nearly 350 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement. The investigation remains ongoing.
