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Texas Man Gets 24 Months for Jan. 6 Capitol Riot Role
A Texas man was sentenced to 24 months in prison for his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol, a violent disturbance that disrupted a joint session of Congress.
Alex Kirk Harkrider, 36, of Carthage, Texas, was convicted of multiple felony and misdemeanor charges related to his conduct during the riot, including civil disorder, obstruction of an official proceeding, and entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon.
According to court documents, Harkrider traveled from his home in Texas to Washington, D.C., with his friend and co-defendant, Ryan Nichols, based on their belief that the 2020 presidential election was fraudulent. The two exchanged text messages in the preceding days, planning and organizing for the trip.
On Jan. 6, 2021, Harkrider and Nichols attended the ‘Stop the Steal’ rally at the Ellipse and then marched toward the U.S. Capitol building. They wore body armor and were armed with firearms, including a tactical tomahawk axe. The two joined a large crowd of rioters that had gathered in front of an arched entrance to the Lower West Terrace doors, also known as the Tunnel.
At approximately 3:56 p.m., Harkrider and Nichols pushed with the crowd against law enforcement officers in the Tunnel in synchronized movements. Harkrider then took hold of a red canister, held it above his head for more than ten seconds, and passed it to other members of the crowd. The canister was identified as a stolen police canister of O.C. spray.
U.S. District Judge Royce C. Lamberth sentenced Harkrider to 24 months in prison, 24 months of supervised release, and ordered him to pay $2,000 in restitution. Harkrider was also found guilty of misdemeanor charges of theft of government property, disorderly conduct in a Capitol building, and parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building.
Key Facts
- State: Washington DC
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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