(StraightShooterNews.com) – Almost five years after the incident, a famous January 6 protester from Kentucky has been sentenced to over four years in prison for being the first person to break into the U.S. Capitol during the January 6th riot.
Described by a police officer as a catalyst for the insurrection, Michael Sparks actively participated in the chaos, including chasing a police officer up several flights of stairs within the Capitol.
Before his sentencing, Sparks told the judge that he believed that the 2020 presidential election was fraudulent.
“I am remorseful that what transpired that day didn’t help anybody,” Sparks admitted. “I am remorseful that our country is in the state it’s in.”
U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly, who handed down a sentence of four years and five months, told Sparks that his actions were far from patriotic and represented a national disgrace.
“I don’t really think you appreciate the full gravity of what happened that day and, quite frankly, the full seriousness of what you did,” the judge stated.
Federal prosecutors called for a slightly longer sentence of four years and nine months for Sparks.
Sparks’ attorney Scott Wendelsdorf proposed a much lighter sentence of one year of home detention instead, which was not accepted.
Sparks was convicted on multiple charges, including a felony for interfering with police during the riot.
On the day of the riot, after attending then-President Donald Trump’s rally, Sparks wore a tactical vest and marched to the Capitol with his coworker Joseph Howe.
Capitol Police Sgt. Victor Nichols testified that Sparks’ entry into the Capitol acted as a green light for the rioters to follow.
Despite being hit with pepper spray, Sparks was undeterred and continued to confront Capitol police officers, shouting, “This is our America!” He left the building approximately ten minutes later.
His attorney argued that Sparks did not lead the crowd inside and was not responsible for the breach, pointing out that rioters used multiple entry points that day.
His co-defendant, Howe, who also faced similar charges, has already been sentenced to four years and two months in prison.
To date, over 1,400 people have faced federal charges related to the Capitol riot.
About 950 individuals have been convicted and more than 600 have been sent to prison with sentences ranging from days to 22 years.
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