John Doe, Shield-Snatching Assault, MD, 2023

BALTIMORE, MD – Narayana Rheiner, 42, of Baltimore, will spend the next fifteen months behind bars for his role in the January 6th, 2021 assault on the U.S. Capitol. Rheiner was sentenced Tuesday by U.S. District Court Judge Dabney L. Friedrich, a punishment federal prosecutors say reflects the seriousness of his actions during the chaotic breach.

Rheiner wasn’t just present at the riot; court documents paint him as an active participant in the violence. He was part of the mob that surged toward officers on the Upper West Plaza, aggressively pushing the police line. But it didn’t stop there. Rheiner physically grabbed a riot shield from an officer, yanking it with enough force to send the cop tumbling down a flight of stairs – a blatant act of aggression captured on video and presented as evidence.

After breaking into the Capitol through a shattered window, Rheiner continued to confront law enforcement, shouting and refusing to yield. He joined other rioters attempting to force their way through a blocked hallway, escalating the already volatile situation. The feds say his behavior wasn’t spontaneous; it was a deliberate attempt to obstruct the proceedings and intimidate officers.

Rheiner pleaded guilty to one count of interfering with law enforcement officers during a civil disorder back in November 2022. The guilty plea didn’t offer much leniency, however. In addition to the 15-month prison sentence, Judge Friedrich ordered 36 months of supervised release and a $2,000 restitution order to cover damages incurred during the riot.

This sentencing comes as the federal investigation into the January 6th attack continues to yield arrests and convictions. To date, over 1,106 individuals have been arrested in almost all 50 states, facing a range of charges from misdemeanor trespassing to serious felony offenses. The feds aren’t letting up, and more indictments are expected.

The investigation was a multi-agency effort, led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the FBI’s Baltimore and Washington Field Offices. The Metropolitan Police Department and U.S. Capitol Police also provided crucial assistance in identifying and apprehending rioters like Rheiner. The case serves as a stark reminder that those who engaged in violence at the Capitol will be held accountable, no matter how long it takes.

Rheiner’s actions weren’t isolated. The Capitol breach represented a coordinated effort to disrupt a peaceful transfer of power, and federal prosecutors are determined to see every instigator and participant face the consequences. The ongoing investigation aims to dismantle the networks involved and prevent similar attacks in the future.

The sentencing of Narayana Rheiner sends a clear message: assaulting law enforcement and attempting to overturn democratic processes will not be tolerated. The feds will continue to pursue justice for those who were injured and those who had their faith in the system shaken on January 6th.