Illinois Man Gets 2 Years for Attacking Capitol Cops

WASHINGTON D.C. – Another foot soldier in the January 6th insurrection is headed to prison. Quinn Keen, 36, of Manteno, Illinois, received a 24-month sentence today for actively assaulting officers of the U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) and the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) during the chaotic breach of the Capitol building. His actions, alongside those of a mob fueled by election conspiracy theories, directly disrupted the joint session of Congress convened to certify the 2020 presidential election results.

Keen pleaded guilty on February 20, 2024, to a felony charge of assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers. Court documents detail a calculated escalation of aggression. After traveling from Illinois to D.C. to protest the election results, Keen positioned himself on the Lower West Terrace by 1:14 p.m., immediately joining the fray against the overwhelmed police line. He began by hurling the contents of a water bottle at officers, quickly escalating to tossing the empty bottle itself. This wasn’t a spontaneous act of protest; it was a deliberate attempt to break the line.

The situation deteriorated rapidly. As rioters began wresting metal barricades away from officers, Keen saw an opportunity. He shoved an MPD officer with both hands, attempting to force him back while the officer desperately tried to reclaim the barrier. He didn’t stop there. Moments later, Keen launched a metal travel mug at the officers, the projectile thankfully deflected by a riot shield but demonstrating a clear intent to cause harm. This wasn’t about making a statement; it was about physical confrontation.

Once the police line finally crumbled, Keen surged forward with the mob, gaining entry to the U.S. Capitol through the Upper West Terrace door at approximately 2:38 p.m. He then brazenly ascended a staircase and entered the Capitol Rotunda, where he openly celebrated with fellow rioters and smoked a marijuana joint. He remained inside the restricted area for a full 37 minutes, fully aware he had no authorization to be there. This wasn’t a misguided tour; it was a deliberate act of defiance and occupation.

The FBI arrested Keen in Chicago on April 6, 2023. U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Kelly handed down the 24-month prison sentence, followed by 24 months of supervised release, and ordered Keen to pay $2,000 in restitution. This case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division, with support from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois. The FBI’s Chicago and Washington Field Offices led the investigation, with assistance from USCP and MPD.

Keen’s sentencing brings the total number of individuals charged in connection with the January 6th breach to over 1,450 across nearly all 50 states. More than 500 of those charged face felony counts of assaulting or impeding law enforcement. The investigation remains active. Anyone with information related to the January 6th attack is urged to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or submit tips online at tips.fbi.gov. The Grimy Times will continue to track these cases and expose the truth behind the Capitol riot.

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