Introduction:

A Waldoboro man, Matthew Brackley, who ran for the Maine State Senate in 2022, has been sentenced to 15 months in prison for his role in the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol. This incident resulted in Brackley facing severe consequences for his actions.

Brackley’s Actions:

Brackley, aged 40, flew from Portland to Washington, D.C., on Jan. 5, 2021, to attend the “Stop the Steal” rally on the National Mall. He then proceeded to the U.S. Capitol building and engaged in disruptive behavior, breaching security measures in place.

He entered the Capitol through the Senate Wing Door and made his way to various parts of the building, including the Senate Chamber, where he confronted police officers and incited others to continue pushing towards restricted areas.

Sentencing and Charges:

On May 14, Brackley was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Carl J. Nichols to 15 months in prison, 24 months of supervised release, and ordered to pay $3,000 in fines and restitution. This outcome was a result of Brackley pleading guilty to assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers.

Background and Consequences:

Brackley, a self-employed electrician who owns Brackley Electric Inc., had run for the Maine Senate District 24 seat in 2022, losing to the incumbent senator. Following his arrest in 2023, Brackley faced potential fines and prison time for his involvement in the Capitol attack.

Legal Proceedings and Investigation:

The case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section. The FBI’s Boston and Washington field offices conducted the investigation, with assistance from the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.

Since the events of Jan. 6, 2021, over 1,424 individuals have been charged across the U.S. for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol. This ongoing investigation has led to numerous individuals facing legal repercussions for their actions during the attack.