Prosecutors and an intelligence analyst from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in San Diego have been instrumental in handling over 60 cases related to the January 6, 2021, Capitol breach. This effort is part of a larger Department of Justice initiative aimed at prosecuting individuals involved in disrupting the certification of the 2020 presidential election results.
As of today, marking four years since the event, more than 1,500 individuals have been charged in federal court for crimes connected to that day. These prosecutions are being conducted through a collaboration led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the DOJ's National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section. Five prosecutors and an analyst from San Diego were detailed to Washington, D.C., to assist with these investigations and prosecutions.
The involvement of each San Diego prosecutor was voluntary and fully supported by their office. The Southern District of California provided crucial assistance alongside other districts nationwide.
U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath stated, “We are extremely proud of our contribution to this extraordinary investigative and prosecutorial undertaking.” She emphasized that these efforts are essential for upholding the rule of law against violence disguised as lawful protest.
Several significant trials handled by San Diego-based Assistant U.S. Attorneys include:
- Michael Bradley from Forsyth, Georgia, was convicted on multiple charges including assaulting officers with a deadly weapon during the Capitol breach. He received a sentence of 60 months.
- Michael Sparks from Elizabethtown, Kentucky, was sentenced to 53 months after being convicted on several counts including felony civil disorder.
- Ronald Colton McAbee from Unionville, Tennessee, was sentenced to 70 months following his conviction on charges including inflicting bodily injury on an officer.
- Ryan Samsel along with James Grant, Stephen Randolph, Paul Johnson, and Jason Blythe were convicted for assaulting police officers during the riot; they received varying sentences with Samsel awaiting sentencing.
- Douglas Jensen from Des Moines, Iowa was sentenced to five years after leading a mob inside the Capitol building.
- Zachary Alam from Centreville, Virginia received an eight-year sentence after convictions on multiple felonies including assaulting officers using a dangerous weapon.
- Jonathan Copeland from Lima, Ohio was sentenced to nearly six years following his conviction on multiple charges related to violent actions during January 6 events.
- Joshua Black from Leeds, Alabama received a sentence of 22 months after entering restricted areas armed with a knife during the riot.
These cases reflect ongoing efforts by various legal teams across jurisdictions aimed at addressing crimes committed during one of America's most challenging periods.