Two Virginia residents have been found guilty of multiple offenses in connection with the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office District of Columbia, a federal jury in the District of Columbia delivered the verdict on June 10, convicting Casey Jane Tryon-Castro, 34, and Micaiah Joseph, 33, of felonies and misdemeanors that included assaulting law enforcement officers during the Capitol breach.
Tryon-Castro was convicted of four felonies, among them civil disorder and robbery, as well as four misdemeanors ranging from disorderly conduct to impeding passage through the Capitol grounds. Her involvement notably included forcibly taking a riot shield from an officer. Joseph was found guilty of two felonies, including civil disorder, and four misdemeanors, his actions characterized by a strategic attempt to leverage his weight against a line of officers. Sentencing for the pair is still to be determined by U.S. District Judge Rudolph Contreras.
The documented evidence showed that Tryon-Castro and Joseph were intimately involved in the Lower West Terrace Tunnel melee, an encounter described as one of that day's most violent against law enforcement. Throughout the prolonged standoff which lasted over two and a half hours, assailants, including the now-convicted duo, attacked police, utilized chemical sprays, and attempted to seize control of the Capitol entrance. Tryon-Castro actively combated officers for about 30 minutes, at times directing other rioters. Joseph donned a tricorn-style hat and body armor during the onslaught, showcasing his presence at the front of the confrontation.
FBI agents apprehended Tryon-Castro on January 17, 2023, and Joseph the following day, signaling the considerable timespan authorities have worked to track and prosecute those involved in the breach meticulously. With more than 1,450 individuals charged across nearly every state for related crimes and over 500 facing allegations of assaulting or impeding law enforcement, the enduring investigation underscores an unwavering pursuit to ensure accountability holistically.
