Rhode Island man charged in Jan. 6 assault on the U.S. Capitol

William B. Cotton, 53 of Hopkinton, RI is circled in a photo from closed-circuit U.S. Capitol TV, one of several photos accompanying the affidavit supporting the criminal complaint charging him with joining the January 6, 2021 riot at the U.S. Capitol.

By WPRO News

A Rhode Island man was arrested without incident by federal agents Tuesday, charged in the January 6, 2021 breach of the U.S. Capitol when rioters tried to disrupt the certification of the election of Joe Biden and the transfer of power from former President Donald Trump.

William B. Cotton of Hopkinton was identified by federal agents and shown on stills from closed-circuit TV systems inside the U.S. Capitol, wearing what appears to be a grey long-sleeve shirt with Bryant University in yellow and white lettering.

Federal agents tracked his cellphone calls before and during the Capitol breach.

Cotton, 53, is the third Rhode Islander and 18th person charged in connection with the riots at the U.S. Capitol by the FBI Boston Division. He faces charges including: Entering and Remaining in a Restricted Building or Grounds, Disorderly and Disruptive Conduct in a Restricted Building or Grounds, Disorderly Conduct in a Capitol Building or Grounds and Parading, Demonstrating, or Picketing in a Capitol Building.

He is expected to be charged in the U.S. Court for the District of Columbia.

The FBI declined further comment.