A Washington state man is heading to the slammer after pleading guilty to charges linked to his aggressive actions during the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021. Tucker Weston of Lynnwood will serve a 24-month sentence, as the Department of Justice reported. He also faces 36 months of supervised release and has been ordered to cough up $2,000 in restitution.
On a day marked by chaos, Weston, 35, joined protestors marauding towards the Capitol after a "Stop the Steal" rally. He helped dismantle a barrier on Capitol grounds that was thrown out of the way, allowing the crowd to move closer to mayhem. After officers tried stopping the mob, Weston shoved them, kicking off a series of violent clashes, as per court documents. Enraged, he continued to confront law enforcement, even as they wielded pepper spray to fend off the assault.
U.S. District Judge Reggie B. Walton was clear on the consequences of such actions as he handed down the sentence. Weston's guilt was cemented by his plea on two felony charges: one for civil disorder and the other for assaulting, resisting, or impeding officers. According to a Justice Department report, the tumultuous afternoon saw Weston engage in confrontation, using a bike rack to push against the police and boldly entered the Capitol through a broken window.
Moving beyond the West Plaza's violence, Weston found himself eventually smashing media equipment with other rioters. He was caught walking away with a bag of stolen items, indicating, according to the investigation, a broader contempt for the symbols of democratic process and free expression. The FBI eventually arrested him on Oct. 19, 2022, more than a year after the Capitol siege, says the Department of Justice.
The aftermath of the January 6 incident has led to charges against more than 1,424 individuals across the United States. The wheels of justice are turning steadily, with over 500 handed felony charges for assaulting or impeding law enforcement. As the Justice Department affirms, the mission to hold accountable those who trampled on the laws governing the fabric of our nation perseveres, with investigations into the mayhem still ongoing.
