Michael Sparks Sentenced for Breaching US Capitol on January 6
Michael Sparks, the first rioter to breach the US Capitol building during the January 6, 2021 riots, was sentenced to nearly four and a half years in prison on Tuesday.
In March, a federal jury found Sparks, a 47-year-old from Kentucky, guilty on six counts, including interfering with police and obstructing Congress from certifying the 2020 election results. United States District Judge Timothy Kelly dismissed the count charging Sparks with obstruction of an official proceeding at prosecutors’ request earlier this month, following a Supreme Court ruling in June that narrowed the use of the charge in January 6 cases. However, the judge stated that for sentencing purposes, he found obstructing the certification was Sparks’s intent.
The judge ordered 53 months of prison time and USD 2,000 in restitution to the Architect of the Capitol. This sentence was longer than the federal sentencing guidelines, which recommended 15 to 21 months, and a probation officer’s suggestion of 21 months.
Sparks addressed the judge, stating he believed the 2020 presidential election was ‘taken’ and that the United States is ‘in tyranny.’ He added that he never intended to harm law enforcement, saying, ‘That’s not who I am.’
Video footage from the riots showed Sparks jumping through a shattered Capitol window shortly after another rioter, Proud Boy Dominic Pezzola, broke it open. Upon entering the Capitol, Sparks encountered US Capitol Police Sergeant Victor Nichols.
Doubts Revealed
Michael Sparks -: Michael Sparks is a person who was involved in the events at the US Capitol on January 6, 2021. He was the first person to enter the building during the riot.
US Capitol -: The US Capitol is a big building in Washington, D.C., where the United States Congress meets to make laws. It’s an important place for the government.
January 6, 2021 -: On January 6, 2021, a group of people stormed the US Capitol building. They were unhappy with the results of the 2020 presidential election.
Kentucky -: Kentucky is a state in the United States. Michael Sparks is from this state.
interfering with police -: Interfering with police means getting in the way of police officers while they are doing their job. It’s against the law.
obstructing Congress -: Obstructing Congress means stopping or trying to stop the lawmakers from doing their work. This is also illegal.
Judge Timothy Kelly -: Judge Timothy Kelly is the person who decided Michael Sparks’ punishment. Judges are people who make decisions in court.
53 months -: 53 months is a little more than four years. This is how long Michael Sparks will be in prison.
USD 2,000 in restitution -: Restitution is money that someone has to pay to make up for doing something wrong. Michael Sparks has to pay USD 2,000 as part of his punishment.
2020 election -: The 2020 election was when people in the United States voted for their president. Some people, like Michael Sparks, believed the results were not fair.
law enforcement -: Law enforcement means the police and other people who make sure everyone follows the law. Michael Sparks said he didn’t want to hurt them.
