Texan Sentenced for Brutal Assault on January 6

A Texas man has been locked up for his role in the January 6, 2021, Capitol breach, a day that will be etched in American history as one of the darkest moments in the nation’s capital. Matthew DaSilva, 51, of Lavon, Texas, was sentenced to 28 months in prison and six months of supervised release for his crimes.

DaSilva’s actions were part of a larger conspiracy to disrupt a joint session of the U.S. Congress. The defendant was found guilty of felony charges of civil disorder and assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers. He also pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor offense of acts of physical violence in the Capitol grounds or buildings.

According to the government’s evidence, DaSilva was among the rioters amassed on the west front of the Capitol grounds on January 6, 2021. At around 2:35 p.m., he made his way to the west plaza, holding a flagpole and waving a large blue flag. DaSilva’s next move was to join a group of rioters attempting to dislodge law enforcement from their position defending the Lower West Terrace Tunnel entrance.

The Tunnel was the site of some of the most violent attacks against law enforcement on January 6. DaSilva was observed on Capitol Police CCTV footage attempting to dislodge law enforcement from their position. At one point, he was seen approaching a group of officers and forcibly pushing against an officer’s outstretched riot shield.

DaSilva then grabbed a riot shield and pulled it away from an officer. Court documents reveal that he made further physical contact when he swatted the officer’s arm away as the officer attempted to deploy a handheld canister of OC spray. This violent behavior was part of a larger conspiracy to disrupt the democratic process and assault law enforcement.

The case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas. The case was investigated by the FBI’s Washington and Dallas Field Offices, with valuable assistance provided by the Metropolitan Police Department and the U.S. Capitol Police.

Since the January 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol, more than 1,387 individuals have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach. Nearly 500 individuals have been charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement. The investigation remains ongoing.

Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.

This case serves as a reminder of the importance of holding individuals accountable for their actions, especially when those actions threaten the safety and security of law enforcement and the democratic process.