WASHINGTON D.C. – Another foot soldier in the January 6th insurrection is headed to federal prison. Christopher Patrick Moynihan, 32, of Salt Point, New York, received a 21-month sentence yesterday for his role in the chaotic breach of the U.S. Capitol. The sentencing follows a guilty verdict on August 23, 2022, for obstruction of an official proceeding – a felony – and guilty pleas to five related misdemeanor charges.
The Department of Justice detailed a scene of brazen disregard for the law. Moynihan was among the first wave of rioters who smashed through security perimeters on the east side of the Capitol Building on January 6, 2021. He didn’t just passively participate; he actively joined the mob forcing their way inside, ultimately entering the Senate Chamber around 2:45 p.m.
Inside the sacred halls of the Senate, Moynihan didn’t simply wander. He rifled through a notebook on a Senator’s desk, pulling out papers and photographing them with his cellphone. Witnesses reported hearing him exclaim, “There’s gotta be something in here we can f—- use against these —-bags,” revealing a clear intent to exploit the chaos for malicious purposes. He then positioned himself in the Senate well, joining a chorus of rioters shouting, cheering, and offering prayers through a bullhorn.
The disruption Moynihan and others caused directly impeded a joint session of Congress convened to certify the electoral votes for the presidential election. Law enforcement finally cleared the Senate Chamber around 3:08 p.m., escorting Moynihan from the building, but not before he’d left his mark on a day that will forever be etched in American history as an assault on democracy.
Judge Christopher R. Cooper didn’t just hand down a prison sentence. In addition to the 21 months behind bars, Moynihan will face 36 months of supervised release and is ordered to pay $2,000 in restitution. The case was spearheaded by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, with support from the Department of Justice’s National Security Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.
The FBI’s New York and Washington Field Offices led the investigation, with crucial assistance from the Metropolitan Police Department and the U.S. Capitol Police. This sentencing is part of a larger crackdown on those involved in the January 6th attack, with over 950 individuals arrested across nearly all 50 states. More than 284 have been charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement. The investigation remains active, and authorities urge anyone with information to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or submit tips online at tips.fbi.gov.
Related Federal Cases
- New York Man Pleads Guilty to Capitol Breach Charges · Washington
- NY Man Gets 21-Month Sentence for Jan. 6 Capitol Breach · Washington
- Capitol Breach: LA Man Gets Convicted · Washington
- NC Man Admits to Capitol Assault: 8 Years Loom · North Carolina
- Capitol Assault: NC Man Pleads Guilty to Attacking Police · North Carolina
Key Facts
- State: Washington DC
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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