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Lowell Gatespardon

Jan 20, 2025

Updated Jun 4, 2026
Net worth
Unknown
Crimes
january 6, weapons, obstruction, other
Convicted of
Jan. 6: assaulting officers with flagpole, civil disorder (seven-count indictment dismissed); Pennsylvania: open lewdness (2021)
Original sentence
Jan. 6 case dismissed before trial; Pennsylvania open lewdness charge (2021)
Time served
N/A (federal case dismissed upon pardon)

Background

Lowell Gates, of Pennsylvania, was indicted federally for assaulting officers during the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack. He had a prior local criminal matter in Cumberland County before his 2023 federal arrest.

The Case

The U.S. Attorney's Office said Gates breached restricted grounds and threw an object at officers before using a flagpole in a spear-like motion, striking officers at least three times. He was arrested in August 2023 on seven federal counts including felony assault and civil disorder, pleaded not guilty in May 2024, and was pardoned before trial; the case was dismissed in January 2025.

Before the federal indictment, PennLive reported that in August 2021 Cumberland County police charged Gates with open lewdness after residents reported him walking in his neighborhood without pants or underwear. He was released on his own recognizance; the outlet later noted that online court records for that case were pulled from public view. His alleged Capitol violence endangered officers and supported the wider assault on Congress's session to count electoral votes.

The Pardon

On January 20, 2025, President Trump granted Gates a full pardon under a proclamation covering certain offenses relating to the events at or near the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.

Sources