Philip S. Young, a 61-year-old man from Sewell, New Jersey, is going to prison for attacking federal officers during the violent breach of the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. Young was sentenced to 8 months behind bars after pleading guilty to felony charges of assaulting, resisting, and impeding law enforcement officers, plus interfering during a civil disorder. Five additional misdemeanor counts were also part of his plea deal, sealing his fate in one of hundreds of federal prosecutions stemming from the insurrection.
The assault unfolded just after 2:46 p.m. on January 6, when Young stormed up the stairs to the Capitol’s Upper West Terrace, responding to a shouted command from the mob: “1, 2, 3, go!” Surveillance footage and eyewitness accounts place Young among a group that lifted and shoved a heavy metal bicycle rack directly into a line of sworn officers holding the perimeter. The impact was violent, intentional, and part of a coordinated push to break through police lines and invade the seat of American democracy.
But Young wasn’t done. By 3:54 p.m., he had moved to the east courtyard of the Capitol, where he was caught on camera deflating the tires of a black U.S. government vehicle—likely law enforcement or emergency services. The act wasn’t just vandalism; it was sabotage aimed at crippling official response during a national crisis. That vehicle may have been needed for evacuation or backup—instead, it was immobilized by a man who believed he could attack the state with impunity.
Young wasn’t caught immediately. He fled back to Sewell, New Jersey, where he remained free until federal agents closed in. He was arrested on August 19, 2021, over seven months after the riot. The FBI identified him as suspect #276 in its public photo lineup, using tips from citizens and relentless digital forensics to track him down. His capture was one of hundreds in a sweeping dragnet that continues to this day.
U.S. District Court Judge Dabney L. Friedrich didn’t let Young off easy. In addition to the 8-month sentence, she ordered $2,000 in restitution for the damage he caused and slapped him with 36 months of supervised release. That means for three years after prison, he’ll be watched—reporting to a probation officer, living under restrictions, a constant reminder that violence against law enforcement carries long-term consequences.
This case was led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice’s National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section, with crucial help from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey. The FBI’s Philadelphia Field Office, South Jersey Resident Agency, and Washington Field Office ran down the evidence. Support came from the Metropolitan Police Department and the U.S. Capitol Police. Since January 6, more than 950 suspects have been arrested nationwide—over 284 for attacking cops. The investigation isn’t over. If you’ve got information, call 1-800-CALL-FBI or visit tips.fbi.gov. Justice moves slow, but it moves.
Related Federal Cases
- Philip Young Sentenced for Capitol Breach Assault · Washington
- Vermont Man Cops Felony Charges for Capitol Riot Assault · Washington
- Colorado Man Faces Charges in Jan. 6 Capitol Riot · Colorado
- Florida Man Gets 4 Years for Capitol Assault · Washington
- Oregon Man Convicted in Jan. 6 Capitol Riot · Washington
Key Facts
- State: Washington DC
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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