Federal charges dropped for 2 Fort Wayne men who participated in Capitol riot: Report

Two Fort Wayne men, Blake Patterson, 40, and attorney Ryan Holden, 39, were pardoned by President Donald Trump for their alleged involvement in the January 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot. The men had faced federal charges, including entering restricted areas, disorderly conduct, and parading in the Capitol, with evidence against them including surveillance footage and officer body cam recordings, reports the Journal Gazette.

Court records indicated the men entered the Capitol grounds wearing matching black motorcycle jackets labeled “Alpha,” with Patterson also donning a tactical helmet displaying “TRUMP 2020.” They were documented inside the Capitol for about 36 minutes, traversing restricted areas, including the Rotunda and Statuary Hall, and allegedly pushing through a police line. Police eventually forced them to leave.

The pardons were part of an executive order issued by Trump on his first day in office. Following this, U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin Jr. filed a motion to dismiss the charges, which was approved by Chief Judge James E. Boasberg.