WASHINGTON, D.C. – Two individuals were convicted today on charges linked to their involvement in the January 6, 2021 Capitol breach. Joseph Irwin, from Cecilia, KY, and John Joseph Richter, from Port Charlotte, FL, faced felony and misdemeanor charges for disrupting a Congressional session meant to confirm the 2020 Presidential election results.
Irwin and Richter were found guilty after a bench trial in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, presided over by Judge Randolph D. Moss. Irwin’s convictions include three felonies: obstruction of an official proceeding; entering and remaining in a restricted building with a weapon; and disorderly conduct in a restricted building with a weapon. He was also found guilty of several misdemeanors.
Richter was convicted of felony obstruction of an official proceeding and multiple misdemeanors, including entering a restricted building and disorderly conduct in a Capitol building. The sentencing is scheduled for August 9.
Evidence presented in court showed that in the lead-up to January 6, Irwin and Richter planned their trip to Washington, D.C., with intentions to obstruct the electoral vote certification. Their preparations included discussions on potential violence and the procurement of items like flagpoles and gas masks. On the day of the incident, they participated in the “Stop the Steal” rally before marching to the Capitol, equipped with poles and flags prepared for conflict.