Jan. 6 Rioters Get Their Due as 3 Men Convicted of Assaulting Cops

In a long-awaited verdict, a federal jury in the District of Columbia found three men guilty of multiple felony and misdemeanor charges related to their involvement in the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol.

Gregory Purdy, 26, of Hopewell Junction, New York, and Robert Turner, 42, from the Los Angeles area, California, were convicted of multiple felony and misdemeanor offenses, including assaulting law enforcement during the riot. Matthew Purdy, 25, also of Hopewell Junction, was found guilty of misdemeanor offenses.

The three men were accused of unlawfully entering the restricted area of the U.S. Capitol grounds and disrupting a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election.

According to court documents and evidence presented during the trial, the three men traveled to Washington, D.C., to participate in the “Stop the Steal” rally on January 6, 2021. Video footage shows the men amongst a group standing outside the U.S. Capitol, opposite a group of officers attempting to protect the building.

At approximately 2:01 p.m., video footage shows Gregory Purdy in a crowd pushing a police line and making contact with officers. The men then overran a police barricade and entered the Capitol at approximately 2:13 p.m. via the Senate Wing doors.

U.S. District Judge Royce C. Lamberth will sentence the men on October 18, 2024. Turner and Gregory Purdy were arrested on November 22, 2021, and November 10, 2021, respectively, in California and New York. Matthew Purdy was arrested on November 10, 2021, in New York.

The convictions come as a significant blow to those who participated in the Jan. 6 riot and a testament to the dedication of law enforcement agencies working to hold them accountable.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division commend the bravery and professionalism of law enforcement officers who protected the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.

The convictions serve as a reminder that those who engage in violence and disorderly conduct during civil unrest will be held accountable for their actions.