Capitol rioter from NH linked to neo-Nazi group pleads guilty to stealing police helmet

Paul Feely, The New Hampshire Union Leader, Manchester
·3 min read
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Apr. 12—A Salem man linked by federal prosecutors to the neo-Nazi group NSC-131 pleaded guilty Thursday for his role in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.

Richard Zachary Ackerman, 22, pleaded guilty to one felony count of civil disorder and one misdemeanor count of theft of government property, officials said. Prosecutors agreed to drop an additional felony count of assaulting police as well as two other misdemeanors in exchange for his plea.

According to court documents, on Jan. 6, 2021, Ackerman traveled to Washington from New Hampshire and sent a text message that read, "Will be going to see the action in these riots/protests" and "if I get shot down there, just remember that I thought highly of you."

After arriving in Washington, Ackerman made his way to the Washington Monument and the Capitol, according to court documents.

Ackerman walked to the Northwest Plaza on the Capitol grounds, where he picked up, then put on, a Capitol Police officer's helmet, with "U.S. CAPITOL POLICE" in large white lettering, according to charging documents.

From there, Ackerman headed to the Lower West Terrace Tunnel, site of some of the most violent attacks against law enforcement on Jan. 6.

By approximately 4:30 p.m., Ackerman joined a large crowd of rioters near the tunnel entrance and saw rioters fighting with police.

At one point, prosecutors said, Ackerman picked up a water bottle and threw it at officers in the tunnel.

Court documents say Ackerman returned to New Hampshire on the morning of Jan. 7, 2021, and texted someone that he "got maced really bad," and that he "was right there, in the eye of it," adding he "was right in the doorway of the building."

Ackerman sent another text that he "stole a SWAT Team officers helmet," referring to it as a "war trophy."

Specifically, Ackerman wrote, "I was there yesterday...& the helmet is my war trophy from the SWAT team," according to court documents.

A search of Ackerman's home later turned up the helmet, which was found in the fireplace of his bedroom with NSC-131 stickers affixed to the back and face shield.

NSC-131 refers to the "Nationalist Socialist Club 131," a neo-Nazi group with small, autonomous regional chapters in the United States and abroad, according to court records.

The FBI arrested Ackerman on June 20, 2023.

Ackerman pleaded guilty Thursday in the District of Columbia to a felony offense of civil disorder and a misdemeanor offense of theft of government property.

U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Kelly is scheduled to sentence Ackerman on July 25.

In the 39 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,387 people have been charged in almost all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 493 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.