A Tennessee man notable for his large frame -- and MAGA and Proud Boy apparel -- was arrested on charges of violent assault January 6 on police officers guarding the U.S. Capitol.
Joshua John Portlock was booked today in his hometown of Smyrna, Tennessee. He had been captured in photos and videos attacking officers and was sought as an Assault on Federal Officer (AFO) suspect.
Portlock, described in the FBI report as 6'2" and 230 pounds, was initially seen on video pulling a metal barricade away from officers and passing it back through the crowd. After the officers no longer had the protection of the barricade, the crowd surged forward, according to the complaint:
"Portlock joined other rioters in assaulting these law enforcement officers in an apparent effort to break the officers' perimeter line and enter the U.S. Capitol. More specifically, as shown through several video sources, Portlock picked up a large piece of what appears to be plywood and pushed it against a group of law enforcement officers. A video posted to "Banned.Video" clearly depicts Portlock's actions in this assault, as shown in the below screenshots. As depicted in the video, Portlock held up the piece of plywood and, with the help of another rioter, drove it toward the line of law enforcement officers. Then, once the plywood has been pushed up against the officers, Portlock and other rioters pushed the piece of plywood over on top of the officers.
"Portlock was in the tunnel for approximately 15-20 minutes, during which time he assaulted and obstructed officers as well as assisted other rioters in assaulting and obstructing officers in several ways. Significantly, on at least two occasions, Portlock participated in "heave-ho" efforts, by which multiple rioters collectively used their body mass for greater effect in pushing back officers by gaining momentum through leaning back and then pushing forward while chanting "heave-ho" to coordinate their efforts. Additionally, on at least two occasions, Portlock participated in moving what appears to be stolen USCP riot shields to the front of line of rioters to assist the rioters at the front of the line in pushing against officers."
The complaint noted that Portlock stood out in the crowd:
"Footage shows Portlock presented in a distinctive manner – he is a tall white male with a grey and black goatee, who was wearing dark boots, jeans, a black jacket, olive green tactical gloves with black knuckle protectors, a red bandana around his neck, and a black beanie or stocking cap on his head beneath a white cowboy hat with the words "Trump 2020" on the front, "Stop the Steal" in red letters on the back, and an American flag pattern printed on the underside of the brim of the hat. Further, as later discussed and presented in the photo above, the black beanie has a yellow wreath emblem on it, a sign of affiliation with the Proud Boys."
Apparently, Portlock and other rioters lacked a sense of irony, as described in the complaint:
"Around the same time, another rioter, with a bald head and red checkered shirt also depicted in the above photo pressed against the doors, experienced a medical emergency. Although this rioter had been actively fighting law enforcement, he asked law enforcement for assistance in addressing his medical emergency. In an apparent acknowledgement of law enforcement's authority, Portlock pleaded with MPD officers to help the rioter as other rioters continue to fight the same law enforcement officers to keep them from closing the doors. Officers assisted the rioter, as does Portlock, as he climbs through the broken door."
The FBI credited Portlock for helping officers near the end of the confrontation:
"Portlock assisted two officers who were separated from other officers and beaten by rioters crowded in the Lower West Terrance. (Video showed) Officer M.F. dragged into the crowd and beaten. Some rioters eventually helped Officer M.F. back to the line of police officers. Portlock approached the officers at the tunnel entrance and asked, 'Is he good?' "While some rioters assaulted Officer B.M. as he was in the crowd, Portlock grabbed the collar of Officer B.M. and, with other rioters, pushed Officer B.M. into what appears to be a nearby handicap access elevator. By doing so, Portlock effectively kept Officer B.M. away from the crowd of rioters that could have caused further harm to him."
Portlock is charged with engaging in physical violence in a restricted building or grounds, civil disorder, and assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers, among other charges. He was released pending a hearing Nov. 9 in the District of Columbia.
You can read the FBI charging document here
