A Dillon, Montana man, identified as Henry Phillip "Hank" Muntzer, was sentenced to two years in prison on Thursday for his role in the Jan. 6 Capitol breach, where the peaceful transfer of power was disrupted by a horde that would cascade upon the hallowed chambers of democracy. Following a conviction of felony and misdemeanor charges, Muntzer, 55, faced judgment that also included 12 months of supervised release and a $2,000 restitution fee, as detailed in a Department of Justice release.
Muntzer, who traveled to Washington, D.C., to hear the former President at the "Stop the Steal" rally, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jia M. Cobb after previously being convicted of obstruction of an official proceeding and civil disorder, both felonies, and four misdemeanor offenses. However, due to the Supreme Court's decision in Fischer v. United States, the government dropped one felony count of obstruction before sentencing.
During the trial it emerged that Muntzer joined other rioters in surging up the scaffolding at the Capitol's West Plaza, making his way to the Upper West Terrace, and eventually pushing against officers in the Rotunda. Documenting his involvement, Muntzer recorded multiple videos declaring he had taken the Capitol "by storm," struggling against the police until he was one of the last rioters to be ousted from the Rotunda.
After the initial outbreak of chaos in January 2021, it took the FBI until the 18th of that month to arrest Muntzer. Contributory support in the investigation was offered by multiple offices, including the FBI's Salt Lake City Field Office, Helena Resident Agency, Washington Field Office, the United States Capitol Police, and the Metropolitan Police Department. This case has been one among more than 1,532 individuals charged nationwide, of which over 571 are facing counts of assaulting or impeding law enforcement. Those who might hold additional information are urged to approach with tips to the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or via the online portal at tips.fbi.gov.
