DOJ Recommends 20-Year Sentence For Pennsylvania Man’s Role In Jan. 6 Capitol Riot

The Department of Justice is recommending a 20-year sentence for a Pennsylvania man for his role during the Jan. 6 “🏛️Capitol riot” in 2021.

According to Fox News, Ryan Samsel was found guilty in February 2024 on several charges related to the 🏛️Capitol riot, including assault of federal officers, acts of violence on Capitol grounds, and obstructing an official proceeding.

Court documents note the DOJ recommended in a memorandum that Samsel should receive a 240-month sentence, three years’ probation, and a $2,000 fine.

“A sentence of 240 months of incarceration reflects the gravity of Samsel’s conduct and provides sufficient deterrence given Samsel’s continued lack of remorse, active and public rehashing of false narratives, violent criminal history, and interest in assaulting the Capitol again,” the DOJ wrote.

Fox News reports Samsel was convicted of verbally abusing officers and physically using a metal barricade against an officer by hitting the officer’s face. Samsel reportedly was the first to breach the barriers surrounding the Capitol building during President Joe Biden’s election certification hearing.

“Samsel spent the next hour and a half terrorizing the police on the West Front,” the DOJ said. “He assaulted the police with his flag, grabbed another officer’s shield, tore at scaffolding, flashed officers, grabbed a 2×4 plank and hurled it at the police line, and threw a pole at a different police line.”

The DOJ further wrote Samsel was “proud of his actions” during the Capitol riot