An Ohio man received a 71-month prison sentence for his involvement in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot where he, among other violations, assaulted law enforcement with a Trump billboard. As reported by the Department of Justice, Jonathan Joseph Copeland, a 29-year-old from Lima, was also sentenced to 36 months of supervised release and is ordered to pay $2,000 in restitution.
Convicted on multiple felony counts including assaulting police officers with a dangerous weapon, Copeland was part of the mob that clashed with Capitol police and Metropolitan Police Department officers. According to the Department of Justice, upon disrupting the joint session of Congress tasked with confirming the 2020 presidential election results, he assisted in forcing a metal-framed Trump sign against a police defensive line. The court documents described the sign as "heavy, with sharp metal angles," and it posed a serious threat to the line of officers defending the Capitol.
Furthermore, during the height of the tumult on January 6, Copeland was seen arguing and physically confronting a photographer within the crowd, which led to the photographer being attacked and pushed off a ledge by rioters, as per the Department of Justice. He entered the Capitol building through the Senate Wing Door around 2:25 p.m., toured the Crypt and Capitol Visitor Center, and exited through a window by 2:41 p.m.
As the 46-month mark since the Capitol breach approaches, the Department of Justice highlights that over 1,561 individuals have been charged for related crimes across virtually all 50 states, with over 590 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement. The FBI continues to seek information regarding participants in the events of January 6 and encourages anyone with tips to call 1-800-CALL-FBI or visit their online tip portal.
