Michael Sparks, the first charged rioter to breach the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, was found guilty of interfering with police and obstructing Congress’ certification of the election results.
A federal jury in Washington, D.C., found Sparks, 46, of Kentucky, guilty on all six charges, including two felonies. U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly is scheduled to sentence him on July 9, according to the Associated Press.
On the day of the Capitol riot, Sparks jumped from a broken window shortly after another rioter smashed it. Inside the Capitol, he followed a police officer up the stairs with others.
Justice Department prosecutors said during the trial that Sparks was the “tip of the spear” and entered the building less than a minute before senators were evacuated from the chamber to escape.
Sparks’ attorney, Scott Wendelsdorf, found Sparks guilty of four misdemeanor charges, including trespassing and disorderly conduct, but remanded the felony charges of civil disorder and obstruction of public business.
After attending a “Stop the Steal” rally, Sparks donned a tactical vest and headed toward the mob. As other rioters told him to stop, he jumped into a Capitol window, and a Capitol Police officer pepper-sprayed him in the face.
Wendelsdorf said Sparks left the Capitol knowing that former Vice President Mike Pence would not replace former President Trump and overturn the election results.
sparks arrested after a tipster recognized him the day after the riot. Sparks reportedly attended a pro-Trump rally in Washington and said, “I’m canceling the rally this time.”
The day after the riot, Sparks texted her mother and said, “If I have the chance, I would like to go again.” The Justice Department claimed he had shown no remorse. By the time he returned to Kentucky, a photo identifying him had circulated online. Prosecutors said Sparks called local police and offered to turn himself in.
He was arrested on January 19, 2021, indicted on February 5, 2021, and then superseded in November of the same year.
The Associated Press contributed reporting.
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