DOJ Seeks 20-Year Sentence for Jan. 6 Rioter Who Breached Capitol

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Justice has recommended a 20-year prison sentence for Ryan Samsel, a Pennsylvania barber convicted of multiple charges related to the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot. Samsel, who was the first rioter to breach the Capitol’s restricted perimeter, was found guilty of assaulting federal officers, obstructing an official proceeding, and other violent acts during the insurrection.

In a sentencing memorandum, the DOJ proposed 240 months of incarceration, three years of supervised release, $2,000 in restitution, and a fine. The department cited Samsel’s lack of remorse, his public endorsement of false narratives, and his violent criminal history as reasons for the harsh sentence. “A sentence of 240 months of incarceration reflects the gravity of Samsel’s conduct and provides sufficient deterrence,” the DOJ wrote.

According to court documents, Samsel played a pivotal role in the riot. He verbally abused officers, forcibly pushed and pulled metal barricades, and struck an officer in the face with a barricade. His actions, the DOJ said, opened the floodgates for thousands of rioters to storm the Capitol grounds. “Samsel spent the next hour and a half terrorizing the police on the West Front,” the memorandum stated, detailing how he assaulted officers with a flag, hurled objects at police lines, and tore at scaffolding.

Samsel’s pride in his actions was evident. He recorded a selfie video during the riot, smiling as he announced breaching the Capitol. Years later, he told an interviewer that his actions were justified, claiming, “sometimes civil disorder is needed.”

The Jan. 6 attack left a lasting impact on law enforcement officers, including former D.C. police officer Michael Fanone, who suffered a heart attack and traumatic brain injury during the riot. Fanone, who has attended multiple court hearings for Jan. 6 defendants, expressed concern that some sentences might be overturned if pardons are issued. “I think that is the most difficult experience that I’ve got to live with for the rest of my life,” Fanone said, reflecting on the betrayal he felt during the insurrection.

Nearly 1,600 people have been charged with federal crimes related to the Jan. 6 riot, with over 1,000 sentenced so far. Fanone, who retired in December 2021, has faced ongoing harassment and threats since the attack. He plans to file restraining orders against some defendants if pardons are granted, fearing they may harbor ill will toward him and his family.