The first rioter to breach the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, in an effort to halt the certification of the presidential election, has been sentenced to over four years in prison. Michael Sparks, 47, was found guilty of civil disorder, disorderly conduct, and related offenses during his trial in March.
On Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly sentenced Sparks to 53 months in prison and imposed a $2,000 fine. During the sentencing, Sparks reiterated his belief in unfounded theories that the 2020 election was stolen from former President Donald Trump. “I am an American citizen who believes to this day that we are in tyranny,” he stated, as reported by U.S. media.
Sparks also expressed regret, saying, “I am remorseful that what transpired that day didn’t help anybody. I am remorseful that our country is in the state it’s in.” A charge of obstructing an official proceeding was dropped following a Supreme Court ruling that restricted the use of the law against Capitol rioters. However, Judge Kelly handed Sparks a harsher sentence than the guidelines suggested—less than two years—arguing that Sparks did not fully comprehend the consequences of his actions.
Judge Kelly told Sparks, “I don’t really think you appreciate the full gravity of what happened that day and, quite frankly, the full seriousness of what you did.”
On January 6, 2021, Sparks, wearing body armor, entered the Capitol through a shattered window shortly after 2:00 p.m., just after Trump had addressed a nearby crowd in Washington, D.C. A U.S. Capitol Police officer testified that he saw Sparks enter but chose not to draw his weapon.
Footage from the Capitol showed Sparks joining a group that chased a Capitol Police officer up a flight of stairs, shouting, “This is our America!” He exited the building approximately 10 minutes later and was arrested a few weeks after the riot.
