A New Jersey man, Christopher Joseph Quaglin, 37, has been handed down a 12-year sentence for his role in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, the U.S. Attorney's Office announced recently. Quaglin, from North Brunswick, was convicted on July 10, 2023, of an array of charges, including 12 felonies stemming from his conduct during the chaotic siege on the U.S. Capitol building.
The U.S. District Judge Trevor N. McFadden also imposed 24 months of supervised release and ordered Quaglin to pay $2,000 in restitution. The evidence laid out in court depicted Quaglin as a man who came prepared for violence, donning body armor and a gas mask, and carrying with him a host of potential weapons.
Prosecutors detailed Quaglin's aggressive actions on Jan. 6, which included forcefully tackling a police officer to the ground, stealing officers' riot shields to attack them, and spraying chemical irritants directly in the faces of law enforcement. Quaglin was among the first wave of rioters to break through police barricades, and his assault on an officer sparked a brawl between the police and mob. His participation in the melee lasted for nearly an hour and a half and involved multiple violent encounters with the officers tasked with defending the Capitol.
Quaglin's lack of remorse was evident in posts and messages after the riot, where he continued to boast about his involvement and refused to accept responsibility. He referred to himself as a political prisoner and claimed the January 6 events were a "set up," the U.S. Attorney's Office stated. Since Jan. 6, 2021, the FBI and partnering agencies have charged over 1,424 individuals in connection to the Capitol breach, with more than 500 of these indictments being for assaulting or impeding law enforcement.
Assistance from a variety of agencies, including the FBI's Washington Field Office, FBI-Newarn Field Office, U.S. Capitol Police, and Metropolitan Police Department was fundamental in yielding the evidence for Quaglin's conviction. The FBI had previously flagged Quaglin as a person of interest, identifying him as BOLO #58 after the riot.
