A man from Tennessee has received a prison sentence for his participation in the Capitol breach on January 6, 2021. Michael Asbury, 44, hailing from Knoxville, faced sentencing today for his role in an event that has led to repercussions across the nation.
Charged with obstruction of law enforcement, which constitutes a felony, Asbury will serve four months behind bars, followed by two years of supervised release, as reported by the U.S. Department of Justice. His home confinement lasts for the initial four months of supervised release. In addition, the court has imposed a $2,000 restitution fee. Asbury pled guilty on March 20, to the charges brought against him.
According to court documents provided by the U.S. Department of Justice, Asbury arrived in Washington, D.C., with the intention to participate in the "Stop the Steal" rally. Once the rally concluded, Asbury positioned himself on a media tower, from where he cheered on the rioters as they fought a symbol of Trump's continued refusal to concede defeat, and thrust it toward the police.
Caught on surveillance footage, Asbury was seen re-entering the Lower West Terrace Tunnel of the Capitol, where he exerted his body weight against the officers trying to defend the building. Handing over a riot shield to other individuals in the crowd, Asbury's acts facilitated the weakening of the police's defense. He also passed what seemed to be a functioning stun gun out of the tunnel. After a responsive use of OC spray by the police, Asbury, along with many others, was forced to retreat.
The investigation and subsequent arrest of Michael Asbury by the FBI was part of a collaborative effort that included local and federal law enforcement branches. As of now, over 1,488 individuals have faced charges related to the Capitol breach, with the number of those charged with assaulting law enforcement reaching nearly 550.
