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Breaking News: Kentucky Man Found Guilty for Breaching U.S. Capitol
Today, in a landmark ruling, a Kentucky man has been convicted for breaching the U.S. Capitol building on January 6, 2021. The defendant, Michael Sparks, 46, from Elizabethtown, Kentucky, was found guilty of multiple felony and misdemeanor offenses related to his actions on that fateful day. His disruptive behavior disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election.
Conviction of Michael Sparks
After a thorough trial, a federal jury convicted Sparks of felony offenses of obstruction of an official proceeding and civil disorder. In addition to the felonies, Sparks was also found guilty of several misdemeanor offenses, including entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly conduct in a Capitol building, and parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building.
Sentencing and Details of the Incident
U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Kelly will sentence Sparks on July 9, 2024. Evidence presented during the trial revealed that Sparks was the very first rioter to enter the U.S. Capitol building on January 6, 2021. Video surveillance footage captured Sparks entering through a window and jumping down to the floor at about 2:13 p.m. Despite warnings from others, Sparks proceeded to climb through a window next to the Senate Wing Door that had been broken by rioters.
Once inside the Capitol, Sparks followed a group of men who chased a U.S. Capitol Police officer up a flight of stairs. He and the others pursued the officer while shouting at him. Despite orders to leave, Sparks did not retreat. Instead, he confronted the officer and yelled, “This is our America! This is our America!,” displaying increasing agitation.
Pre-Planned Actions
Evidence also showed that in the days leading up to January 6th, Sparks made concerning posts on social media platforms. He expressed desires for a civil war and called for dragging individuals out of Congress, labeling it as tyranny. Sparks was well-informed about Congress’s plan to certify the electoral college votes on January 6, posing questions to his online community and even warning of upcoming events.
Prosecution and Investigation
This case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section, with valuable assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Kentucky. The FBI’s Louisville and Washington Field Offices investigated the case, with support from the United States Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.
Continuing Investigation
In the 37 months since January 6, 2021, over 1,313 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol. The investigation is ongoing, with more than 469 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement. Anyone with tips can contact 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.
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