North Texas Real Estate Agent Katherine Schwab Pleads Guilty to Federal Charge For Jan. 6 Role

Katherine Stavely Schwab’s real estate license status is inactive, and she has until September 30 to renew it. But right now, she may have other concerns.

The former Century 21 Mike Bowman agent pleaded guilty last Thursday to a federal charge for her participation in the Jan. 6, 2021, mayhem at the U.S. Capitol.

Schwab is no longer associated with Century 21 Mike Bowman Inc. On January 7, 2021, Mike Bowman posted on the company’s Facebook page that he “has been made aware of the posts by Katie Schwab. Such conduct does not comport with the policies or values of our company. This agent is no longer associated with CENTURY 21 Mike Bowman, Inc.”

Katherine, also known as “Katie” Stavely Schwab, admitted engaging in disruptive or disorderly conduct in a restricted building or grounds. That would be the United States Capitol. Her conduct is punishable by up to one year in prison and a $100,000 fine, according to court records.

According to court documents, Schwab sent a message to Hyland two days before the riot saying, “We have to stop the steal,” referring to the belief that former President Donald J. Trump lost the election because of significant voter fraud. Schwab said she was willing to stand her ground.

Schwab, 34, flew to Washington, D.C., in January 2021, along with Frisco real estate agent Jason Lee Hyland and Frisco real estate broker Jennifer “Jenna” Ryan on a private jet chartered by Hyland. Ryan pleaded guilty a year ago in August, was sentenced, and served 60 days for her part in the riot.

In Washington, the Texas group went to the Trump rally near the White House before returning to their hotel. When they saw news coverage of the Capitol breach, they returned to the capitol in an Uber, according to multiple news reports.

According to plea papers, Schwab was the first of the trio to enter the building. But Schwab says she was pushed through the doors and into a lobby by the crowds. Schwab told the FBI she felt crushed by the crowds before actually being assisted out of the building by a Capitol Police officer.

However, moments later Schwab was then calling U.S. Capitol Police “traitors,” “sheep,” and “pathetic,” according to plea documents based on footage from her and Hyland’s phones.

According to reports, Schwab joined a crowd attacking news media equipment at a press enclosure, kicking and throwing items, before leaving the area.

Schwab criticized media coverage of the insurrection once she returned to her hotel, recording her words in a Facebook Live video: “There was no vandalism. All we did was push the doors open.”

Several charges against Schwab had faced were dropped as a result of her plea agreement: willfully and knowingly engaging in an act of physical violence; knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds; violent entry and disorderly conduct in a Capitol building; and parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building.

Schwab’s sentencing is scheduled for December. Hyland was sentenced earlier this month to seven days in jail after his guilty plea in March to a misdemeanor count of parading, demonstrating, or picketing in the Capitol building.