A Kentucky man, Michael Sparks, was sentenced to 53 months in prison for being the first rioter to enter the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, during the attack by Trump supporters.
Sparks, convicted of civil disorder, received the sentence despite prosecutors seeking 57 months and his defense asking for 12 months of home detention.
Prosecutors described Sparks as the initial perpetrator who “helped light the fire that day” by ignoring warnings and leading others into the Capitol.
The incident led to charges against nearly 1,500 individuals, with David Dempsey receiving a 20-year sentence as one of the most violent rioters.
Enrique Tarrio, former Proud Boys leader, was sentenced to 22 years for seditious conspiracy. The attack resulted in deaths and injuries, following Trump’s false election claims.