Michael Sparks Sentenced for Capitol Riot Role

Michael Sparks, the first rioter to breach the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, has been sentenced to 53 months in prison and fined $2,000. Sparks was convicted of multiple charges, including obstruction of an official proceeding and civil disorder. Despite expressing remorse, he maintained that the 2020 presidential election was rigged, which Judge Timothy Kelly noted as a sign that Sparks did not fully grasp the gravity of his actions. Sparks' entry through a broken window was described as a catalyst for the riot, prompting others to follow. In addition to his prison sentence, Sparks will serve 36 months of supervised release post-incarceration. Over 1,488 individuals have been charged in connection with the January 6 riot, with 749 already sentenced.