Sanford Man Arrested on Charges Related to Jan. 6 Capitol Breach

The man believed to be Christopher Belliveau of Sanford, outlined in yellow, is shown approaching Capitol Police officers.

Photo: Federal Bureau of Investigation

Press Release

A Sanford man has been arrested on felony and misdemeanor charges, including for allegedly assaulting law enforcement during the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol that disrupted certification of the 2020 presidential election results.

According to a press release Wednesday from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Christopher Belliveau, 38, is charged with five felony offenses, including civil disorder; assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers using a dangerous weapon; entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority with a deadly or dangerous weapon; disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon; and engaging in physical violence in a restricted building or on restricted grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon.

The FBI arrested Belliveau on Wednesday in Berwick with help from local police departments, including Sanford and Wells. Belliveau is the thirteenth person from Maine to be charged in connection with the even Sanford ts of Jan. 6.

In addition to the felonies, he is charged with three misdemeanor offenses, including disorderly conduct in a capitol building; act of physical violence in the Capitol grounds or buildings; and parading, demonstrating or picketing in the Capitol buildings.

According to court documents, a man identified as Belliveau was among a group of rioters on Jan. 6, 2021, on the Northwest Lawn of the Capitol grounds. At the time, rioters were congregated behind temporary fencing comprised of interlocking bicycle racks. The group of rioters, with Belliveau allegedly at the front, crossed the bicycle rack fencing and advanced toward the police.

The complaint alleges that as Belliveau approached police with a bullhorn in one hand, he pointed at one officer and then walked away. He then returned, allegedly carrying a green canister with an orange safety cap consistent with bear pepper mace. It is alleged that Belliveau then discharged a canister at the police officer he initially pointed at and then fled the area. The officer pursued Belliveau but was knocked to the ground by another rioter.

Later, a group of rioters overran a police line on the Northwest stairs at the Capitol. In the minutes that followed, hundreds of rioters subsequently advanced up the stairs to an area of the Capitol known as the Upper West Terrace. At approximately 2:13 pm, rioters broke the windows next to the Senate Wing Door and breached the Capitol. Belliveau, as shown on surveillance video, allegedly entered the Capitol at approximately 2:17 pm.

Belliveau traveled to an area of the Capitol known as the Crypt, where rioters confronted a police line, before leaving about 15 minutes later.

The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Boston and Washington field offices, with assistance from the U.S. Capitol Police, the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department and the FBI Boston field offices.

In the 41 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,450 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 500 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, a felony. The investigation remains ongoing.

Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.