Shane Woods, a 45-year-old Illinois resident, has been sentenced to 4 ½ years in federal prison for assaulting a U.S. Capitol police officer and a TV cameraman during the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021, as per the reports by Chicago Sun-Times. An awaiting trial for murder charges in Sangamon County, related to an incident in November 2022, is Woods' next judicial hurdle.
Woods was the first person arrested for assaulting a news media member during the Capitol insurrection. In September 2022, he pled guilty for assaulting, resisting, or impeding law enforcement officers. His charges, already severe, took a tragic turn in following months.
On November 8, 2022, Woods was reportedly pulled over by a Divernon police officer for speeding. Federal prosecutors later confirmed allegations about Woods' tax evasion on his annual income from 2017, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. The situation escalated when Woods drove away, causing a fatal multi-car accident that resulted in the death of 35-year-old Lauren Wegner and seriously injured two others.
Concurrently, Woods is also facing first-degree murder charges in Sangamon County with a trial set for January, reports CBS News Chicago. His escalating violent behaviors are attributed to detrimental decision-making and substance abuse, as inferred by his defense attorney.
U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta is to preside over Woods’ trial.
