Kentucky & Florida Men Convicted in Jan. 6 Capitol Riot

WASHINGTON D.C. – The rot continues to surface from the January 6th Capitol breach. Joseph Irwin, 43, of Cecilia, Kentucky, and John Joseph Richter, 39, of Port Charlotte, Florida, were convicted today of multiple felony and misdemeanor charges stemming from the assault on the U.S. Capitol. The pair, found guilty after a bench trial before U.S. District Court Judge Randolph D. Moss, were part of the mob that disrupted the joint session of Congress meant to certify the 2020 presidential election results. This isn’t about politics; it’s about a direct attack on the foundations of our government, and these two men are paying the price.

Irwin faces a serious reckoning, convicted of three felony counts: obstruction of an official proceeding, entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon, and disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds *with* a deadly or dangerous weapon. The list doesn’t stop there. He was also found guilty of misdemeanor offenses including entering and remaining on the floor of Congress, disorderly conduct in a Capitol building, and parading, demonstrating, or picketing inside the Capitol itself. Richter, while facing fewer charges, was convicted of the felony of obstruction of an official proceeding, alongside misdemeanor counts of entering restricted grounds, entering the Capitol floor, disorderly conduct, and picketing.

Court documents paint a chilling picture of premeditation. In the weeks leading up to January 6th, Irwin and Richter actively planned their trip to Washington D.C., explicitly with the intent to interfere with the Electoral College vote certification. Texts reveal a disturbing discussion surrounding former Vice President Mike Pence’s role and the potential for chaos. One message from Richter to Irwin included a photo discussing the process, while another showed a disturbing exchange: Irwin asking, “Are we go[ing] open militia or innocent/ready bystander,” to which Richter responded with a chillingly pragmatic, “Well I think we are gonna be in a huge crowd mostly. So we will have to be opportunists most likely. Gnome sayin? I like the ready bystander wildcard approach myself.”

The planning extended beyond mere rhetoric. The two men discussed procuring supplies for their trip – flagpoles, goggles, battery banks, and, most disturbingly, full-face gas masks. Richter even circulated a photo of a metal-tipped flagpole, stating the all-black American flag he intended to bring signified “no quarter will be given. It’s time to do patriot s—.” Irwin, not to be outdone, boasted about his own weapon, a wooden pole inscribed with a black American flag, declaring it “heavy as f—.” They weren’t going to D.C. to sightsee. They were preparing for a confrontation.

On January 6th, the pair attended the “Stop the Steal” rally before marching toward the Capitol, each carrying their pre-planned weapons. Richter wielded the black flag with the metal tip, while Irwin carried the heavy wooden pole. Once on the Capitol grounds, Irwin aggressively confronted a line of police officers, brandishing his pole and yelling “Go Home!!” He then violently slammed the pole into the ground, shattering it into two pieces right in front of the officers – a clear act of intimidation. They then moved towards the Senate Wing Door, where Richter disassembled his own pole, preparing to escalate the situation further.

Judge Moss has scheduled sentencing for August 9, 2024. While the sentencing remains to be seen, one thing is certain: Irwin and Richter’s actions had consequences. This case, like so many others stemming from the January 6th insurrection, underscores the gravity of the attack and the accountability those involved will face. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on the full extent of the justice served. This wasn’t a protest; it was a calculated attempt to subvert the democratic process, and these convictions are a small step towards restoring faith in our institutions.