Virginia Man Sentenced to Prison for Assaulting Law Enforcement and Other Charges During Jan. 6 Capitol Breach

            WASHINGTON – A Virginia man was sentenced to prison on Nov. 12, 2024, after he was previously found guilty of assaulting law enforcement and other offenses stemming from his conduct during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. His actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election.

            Micaiah Joseph, 34, of Triangle, Virginia, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Rudolph Contreras to 37 months in prison, 36 months of supervised release, and ordered to pay $2,000 in restitution.

            A federal jury previously convicted Joseph of two felonies, including civil disorder and assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers on June 10, 2024. In addition to the felonies, Joseph was convicted of four misdemeanor offenses, including entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, engaging in physical violence in a restricted building or grounds, and impeding passage through the Capitol grounds or buildings.

            According to court documents, on Jan. 6, 2021, Joseph attended the “Stop the Steal” rally on the Ellipse and afterward joined a large crowd marching toward the Capitol building. Joseph entered the restricted Capitol grounds and was among a mob of rioters that engaged in physical confrontation with law enforcement officers near an entrance to the U.S. Capitol on the Lower West Terrace known as the “Tunnel.”

            The Tunnel was the site of some of the most violent attacks against law enforcement on Jan. 6, 2021. For over two and a half hours, law enforcement defended the Tunnel against rioters who pushed against them, struck them, stole their riot shields, sprayed them with chemical irritants, and otherwise fought against them to gain access to the U.S. Capitol.

            Joseph, who wore a tricorn-style hat, gas mask, and body armor, participated in the siege against law enforcement at the Tunnel, including by pushing against officers and assisting other rioters to push against the officers.

            Joseph entered the Tunnel at approximately 3:00 p.m. and moved through the crowd toward the police line defending the Tunnel entrance. Here, Joseph pushed his way to the front of the police line and, after standing in front of police for some time, joined rioters in pushing against police—using a nearby set of doors to leverage his weight against an officer line. Joseph then moved to the mouth of the Tunnel, and, on his way out, handed his gas mask to another rioter who immediately entered the melee to push against the police. After standing at the mouth of the Tunnel, Joseph turned back inside to engage in another heave-ho effort against the police line.

            Joseph ultimately exited the Tunnel at approximately 3:13 p.m.

            The FBI arrested Joseph on Jan. 18, 2023, in Virginia.

            The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section prosecuted this case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia provided valuable assistance.

            This case was investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office. Joseph was identified as BOLO (Be on the Lookout) #221 on the FBI’s seeking information images. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.

            In the 46 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,561 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 590 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, a felony. The investigation remains ongoing.

            Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.