A Pennsylvania resident, Joseph Pastucci, has been sentenced to 26 months in prison for assaulting law enforcement during the January 6, 2021 breach of the U.S. Capitol. The incident disrupted a joint session of Congress that was convened to certify the electoral votes from the 2020 presidential election.
Pastucci, aged 50 and from New Cumberland, Pennsylvania, received his sentence from U.S. District Judge Beryl A. Howell. In addition to his prison term, he will serve 36 months of supervised release and pay $2,000 in restitution.
Pastucci had earlier pleaded guilty to a felony charge of assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers. According to case facts, Pastucci and co-defendant Jeanette Mangia planned their trip to Washington D.C. on January 6th to protest the certification of the Electoral College results. After attending the "Stop the Steal" rally, they entered the Capitol building through the Senate Wing Door shortly after it was breached and made their way into various areas including the Speaker of the House’s Office Suite and later into the Senate Chamber.
Inside the Senate Chamber, they inspected and photographed documents on the Senate Dais before being confronted by police near the Senate Carriage Door. Despite instructions to leave, Pastucci resisted removal efforts by grabbing furniture for support. After being pushed out by police officers and watching Mangia's removal, Pastucci shoved a United States Capitol Police Officer.
The couple reentered through Rotunda Doors around 3:06 p.m., joining other rioters before finally exiting at approximately 3:27 p.m.
The FBI arrested both individuals on April 27, 2023 in Pennsylvania. While Pastucci has been sentenced, Jeanette Mangia is still awaiting trial for her involvement in these events.
This case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia along with assistance from several other agencies including FBI's Philadelphia and Washington Field Offices.
Since January 6th more than 1,572 people have faced charges related to crimes committed during this breach across nearly all states with over 590 individuals charged specifically with assaulting or impeding law enforcement officers—a felony offense as investigations continue.
For those with information about this event or others related can contact authorities at 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.