Texas Rioter Gets 27 Months for Capitol Cop Attacks

Daniel Dink Phipps, a 36-year-old former security guard from Garland, Texas, will spend the next 27 months behind bars for his violent role in the January 6th Capitol breach. Phipps wasn’t there to protest; he was there to fight, specifically targeting law enforcement officers defending the building. Federal prosecutors secured the conviction after Phipps admitted to assaulting three officers and openly celebrating his actions online.

The feds say Phipps didn’t just stumble into the chaos. He actively engaged in the assault on the North Terrace, resisting officers attempting to clear the area. Court documents detail a sustained attack, with Phipps continuing to fight even after initially clashing with police. He didn’t stop at physical assault, either – witnesses reported Phipps issuing threats to the entire line of officers, promising more violence was to come. This wasn’t a spontaneous act; it was a deliberate, escalating confrontation.

Phipps pleaded guilty to a slew of charges, including the felony offenses of assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers, and civil disorder. Four misdemeanor counts – entering a restricted building, disorderly conduct, and unlawful parading – were also added to the list. While the misdemeanors might seem minor, they paint a picture of someone intentionally flouting the law and contributing to the overall mayhem. The feds weren’t buying his attempts to downplay his involvement.

What truly set Phipps apart, and likely contributed to the severity of his sentence, was his post-riot behavior. Just two days after the attack, he bragged on social media about “helping take the Hill,” a clear admission of guilt and a blatant disregard for the gravity of his actions. This wasn’t remorse; it was pride. The feds seized that post as key evidence, demonstrating Phipps’s conscious participation and lack of regret. A $270 special assessment was also levied against him, funneling funds towards victim assistance programs.

U.S. District Court Judge Carl J. Nichols handed down the 27-month sentence, along with a 36-month period of supervised release. That means even after prison, Phipps will be monitored, subject to restrictions, and accountable to a probation officer. The FBI spearheaded the investigation, building a case based on witness testimony, video footage, and – crucially – Phipps’s own incriminating social media posts. The Bureau continues to seek tips and information related to the January 6th attack.

As of this report, over 1,200 individuals have been arrested in connection with the Capitol breach, with a significant number facing charges related to assaulting law enforcement. The feds are still actively investigating, and more arrests are expected. The January 6th riot wasn’t a protest; it was a criminal assault on American democracy, and Daniel Dink Phipps is just one of many facing the consequences. For those with information regarding the events of January 6th, the FBI asks you to submit tips and information at their website: https://www.fbi.gov/tipsandforms