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Tennessee Man Sentenced to 63 Months in Prison for Capitol Breach
MEMPHIS, TN – Ronald Sandlin, 35, of Millington, Tennessee, was sentenced to 63 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding and assaulting, resisting, or impeding officers during the January 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol.
The sentencing occurred in the District of Columbia. According to court documents, Sandlin and two co-conspirators – Nathaniel DeGrave and Josiah Colt – planned to interfere with the peaceful transition of presidential power, beginning in December 2020.
On January 6, 2021, Sandlin live-streamed a video in which he called on “other patriots” to “take the Capitol.” In the video, Sandlin stated four times that “freedom is paid for with blood.” Sandlin, DeGrave, and Colt then traveled together to the Capitol wearing protective gear, including gas/face masks, helmets, and shin guards.
After arriving on the Capitol grounds, the men scaled dismantled bike barricades and past law enforcement officers, pushing past members of the crowd to get closer to the Capitol Building. Sandlin repeatedly yelled things such as “we’re not here to spectate anymore,” “the time to talk is over,” and “if you’re not breaching the building, move out of the way.”
The three men entered the Capitol through the Upper West Terrace door, at approximately 2:35 p.m. While inside, Sandlin and DeGrave pushed against officers guarding an exterior door to the Capitol Rotunda, slowly forcing the door open and letting a mob stream inside.
Sandlin shouted at the officers, “you’re going to die, get out of the way,” before later grabbing an officer’s helmet. He began shoving officers in an attempt to keep the doors open. As he did this, his hand made contact with the side of an officer’s head.
After leaving the Senate Gallery, Sandlin smoked a marijuana joint in the Rotunda of the Capitol. He also stole a book from a desk in a Senate-side office, which he later described to Colt as a “souvenir.” He also picked up an oil painting from the Capitol and slung it over his shoulder before others in the mob took it off his shoulder.
He finally exited the Capitol at approximately 3:16 p.m. Shortly after the riot, Sandlin deleted photographs and messages regarding the events of January 6 from his group chats with Colt, DeGrave, and others.
Colt, 35, of Meridian, Idaho, pleaded guilty on July 14, 2021, to obstruction of an official proceeding. DeGrave, 33, of Las Vegas, Nevada, pleaded guilty on June 27, 2022, to conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding.
Sandlin’s and his co-conspirators’ actions disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election.
The exact criminal charges against Sandlin are conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding and assaulting, resisting, or impeding officers.
The date of the crime is January 6, 2021.
The city and state of the crime are Washington, D.C.
MEMPHIS, TN – The sentencing occurred in the District of Columbia.
The sentence or outcome is 63 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release.
MEMPHIS, TN – Ronald Sandlin is the defendant’s real full name.
Key Facts
- State: Tennessee
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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