Who was the first person to enter the Capitol on January 6, 2021?

Key Facts about Capitol Breach

A federal jury convicted Michael Sparks, a 46-year-old man from Elizabethtown, for his involvement in the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. His charges included entering restricted areas, disorderly conduct, and disrupting official proceedings.

Details of the Incident

Sparks was the first person to breach the Capitol during the attack, climbing through a broken window despite warnings. Inside, he chased a police officer and shouted, “this is our America!”

Social Media Posts

Before the riot, Sparks posted on social media about wanting a civil war and dragging officials out of Congress, indicating his intentions prior to the event.

Arrest and Identification

Sparks was arrested two weeks after the riot when anonymous sources provided information to the FBI, leading to his identification from photos and videos of the incident.

Sentencing and Updates

Sparks is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Kelly on July 9, as per the Department of Justice.

Extent of Charges in Capitol Riots

As of Jan. 5, 2024, over 1,265 individuals have faced charges related to the Capitol insurrection, with 23 arrests in Kentucky alone, according to the DOJ.

Chris Leach is a breaking news reporter for the Lexington Herald-Leader. He joined the newspaper in September 2021 after previously working with the Anderson News and the Cats Pause. Chris graduated from UK in December 2018.
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