Seven-Year Prison Sentence for Leading Charge Against Law Enforcement at Insurrection

Mel Cole | National Geographic

This week following a six-hour hearing, U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich sentenced Guy Wesley Reffitt to seven years and three months in prison for his actions in the January 6 attack on the Capitol. U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich handed down the sentence after Reffitt's conviction of five felony counts in March, including obstruction of an official proceeding, interfering with police in a riot, as well as threatening his two teenage children if they disclosed his involvement to law enforcement.

According to prosecutors, Reffitt advanced on the responding officers wearing body armor, equipped with a Smith & Wesson pistol in a holster on his waist, zip-tie handcuffs, and a helmet equipped with a video camera.

Court documents indicate Reffitt abstained from entering the Capitol Complex after an officer pepper sprayed him, forcing him to retreat; though, footage showed him encouraging rioters and directing them up an outside staircase. Prosecutors also alleged Reffitt told fellow members of the Three Percenters—a far-right antigovernment militia movement—that he intended to assault Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA).

Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) Jeffrey Nestler initially requested 15 years for Reffitt, describing him as a homegrown extremist and arguing the case warranted an “upward departure for terrorism.” This was the first time prosecutors publicly requested such a sentencing enhancement for a Capitol riot case.

“He wanted to physically and literally remove Congress,” said AUSA Nestler. “We do believe that he is a domestic terrorist.”

While Judge Friedrich disagreed with AUSA Nestler, she did impose the most severe punishment issued in a case related to the Capitol attack to date and described Reffitt's actions and statements as “frightening claims that border on delusional”.

In connection with the riot, the Justice Department has charged more than 840 individuals with federal crimes. Over 340 have pleaded guilty, most to misdemeanors, and another 220 sentenced, nearly half of whom received prison terms. The trials of 150 others will take place over the next year.

At present, Reffitt is one of seven defendants to face a jury trial in connection with the Capitol riot. In all seven cases, jurors unanimously convicted all seven defendants on all counts.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Field Offices in Washington, Dallas, and Austin investigated the case with assistance from the U.S. Capitol Police (USCP).