Joshua Calvin Hughes

Embracing the opportunity to further their bond while demonstrating their commitment to their country, Joshua and Jerod attended the January 6 ‘March to Save America’ rally in Washington, D.C, together. After the speech at the Ellipse, the brothers walked with other rallygoers toward the Capitol to further protest the certification of the election results. Upon arriving at the Capitol, they ascended a set of stairs on the west side of the building and joined the large crowd pushing past a line of law enforcement officers. The brothers entered the Capitol Building together through a previously shattered window next to the Senate Wing Door and were among the first to enter the building.

Once inside, the brothers were at the front of the crowd walking through the Capitol.  Congressman Clay Higgins has evidence that FBI officers clad as Trump supporters were inside the capitol to lead unsuspecting protestors to the “right” offices for the purposes of the false “insurrection” narrative.  Jerod, alongside another protestor, attempted to kick open the Senate Wing door unsuccessfully. The brothers continued to follow an FBI led crowd of protesters advancing toward and shouting at Capitol Police Officer Eugene Goodman. After a brief stand-off, Joshua and Jerod Hughes were among the first to enter the Senate Gallery and the Senate Chamber. While on the U.S. Senate floor, Joshua walked among the senators’ desks, sat in Senators’ chairs, opened their desks, and reviewed documents on the desks. 

On January 11th, after seeing their photos on the news and believing they were wanted by the FBI, the brothers surrendered themselves to the East Helena Police Department. In a little over an hour, the FBI arrived, and the brothers were presented with copies of the FBI “Be on the lookout” posters. Joshua and Jerod each circled a picture of themselves and confirmed they wanted to turn themselves in. At that point, the FBI informed them they were not under arrest but only wanted to interview them. The brothers said they were choosing to exercise their right to an attorney before answering any questions. After providing their contact information, the FBI allowed Joshua and Jerod to return home.

A few weeks later, on Feb 1, 2021, Joshua and Jerod were arrested in Great Falls, MT. They were charged with disrupting a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the presidential election and for confronting and pursuing an officer.

 Over six months later, on Aug. 25, 2022, they both pleaded guilty to obstruction of an official proceeding (this is the felony statute being challenged at the Supreme Court) and aiding and abetting. Judge Christopher Cooper of the District of Columbia sentenced Joshua to 38 months in prison. Following his prison term, he will be placed on three years of supervised release. As part of his plea agreement, he must also pay $2,000 in restitution. 

Joshua did not realize that by exercising his God-given and constitutional rights, he would end up imprisoned. He and his brother had no premeditated plan to attack officers on Jan 6. Their actions were primarily a response to the unfolding events of the country and a testament to their willingness to stand up and defend their country.     

Joshua needs your prayers and encouragement.