Colorado Man Sentenced for Jan. 6 Capitol Breach Obstruction

Colorado Man Sentenced for Jan. 6 Capitol Breach Obstruction

Avery MacCracken, 70, of Telluride, Colorado, has been sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison for his role in obstructing law enforcement officers during the January 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol.

According to court documents, MacCracken traveled to Washington, D.C., to protest the certification of the results of the 2020 presidential election. At approximately 2:23 p.m., MacCracken advanced to the front of a mob of rioters who were attempting to break through a police line on the West Front of the Capitol.

MacCracken stated to one of the officers, “You should be on our side, taking these sons of bitches out.” As other rioters assaulted the police around him, MacCracken moved to an area where rioters had already pulled the metal barricades away.

With two hands balled into fists, he advanced toward a police officer and raised one fist as if to strike. The officer deflected the attack, but MacCracken grabbed another officer’s arm and uniform, tussling briefly with the second officer before moving past.

As the police lines on the Upper West Plaza caved to the overwhelming numbers of rioters, MacCracken continued to advance toward the Capitol building, threatening one officer, calling him a “m—f—” and asking if he wanted to “start something.”

MacCracken eventually climbed to the top of the Inauguration bleachers, where he joined other rioters who were resisting police efforts to remove them from the area. MacCracken faced the police and refused to leave until he was physically pushed off a platform by the police.

The FBI arrested MacCracken on December 11, 2021, in Colorado. MacCracken pleaded guilty to one count of obstructing law enforcement officers during a civil disorder on October 20, 2023.

U.S. District Judge Richard J. Leon sentenced MacCracken to 12 months and one day in prison, 36 months of supervised release, and ordered him to pay $2,000 in restitution.

The investigation remains ongoing, with more than 1,424 individuals charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol.

Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.