Florida Man, Assaulting Law Enforcement, Washington DC, 2021

PLANT CITY, FL – Michael Steven Perkins, 40, is headed to federal prison for four years after pleading guilty to attacking police officers during the January 6th insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. Perkins, a resident of Central Florida, wasn’t there to protest peacefully; he came prepared to fight, and he targeted those sworn to protect the building.

According to court documents, Perkins joined a mob that overran security barriers and stormed the West Plaza of the Capitol. The feds say Perkins didn’t stop at simply being present. He actively engaged in violence, using a flagpole as a weapon to strike two officers in the back of the head. He also aided a co-defendant in attempting to break through a police line.

The assault wasn’t a spontaneous act. Perkins traveled to Washington D.C. specifically to attend the “Stop the Steal” rally, a gathering fueled by false claims of election fraud. After the rally concluded, he and his associates deliberately breached restricted areas, making their way toward the Capitol building with malicious intent.

U.S. District Court Judge Carl J. Nichols handed down the 48-month sentence on August 17, 2023, alongside a 36-month period of supervised release. Perkins was convicted on multiple counts, including assaulting a federal officer with a deadly weapon, civil disorder, and entering a restricted building. The severity of the charges reflects the dangerous nature of his actions.

The investigation was a coordinated effort by the FBI’s Tampa and Washington Field Offices, alongside the Metropolitan Police Department and U.S. Capitol Police. Federal prosecutors from the District of Columbia and the Middle District of Florida secured the conviction. This case is one of hundreds stemming from the January 6th breach, and the feds are continuing to pursue those responsible for the attack.

With over 1,000 individuals arrested in connection with the Capitol riot, the January 6th investigation remains a massive undertaking. Charges range from simple trespassing to seditious conspiracy. Perkins’ sentence sends a clear message: those who attack law enforcement and attempt to undermine the democratic process will face serious consequences. The Grimy Times will continue to follow these cases as they move through the courts.

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