Maine Man Sentenced to 7+ Years for His Role in the Capitol Riot

A Maine man who participated in the 2021 Capitol riot has been sentenced to more than 7 years in prison.

What Was the Full Sentence?

Kyle Fitzsimons, 39, of Lebanon received a sentence this week of 87 months in prison. He was convicted of 11 charges, including 7 felonies in a Washington, D.C. court. In addition to the prison term, Fitzsimons is ordered to serve 36 months of supervised release and to pay $2,000 in restitution.

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Were Any Details of Fitzsimons' Role in the Riot Released?

The charges stem from Fitzsimons's role in the Capitol breach that happened on January 6th, 2021. Rioters disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress which had convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the Presidential election. He became one of the most recognizable figures from images of the riot because of the white butcher's jacket and fur pelt that he wore, as well as the unstrung bow that he carried. He was the first resident of Maine to be arrested in connection with the riots, possibly because of the images of his bloodied face, which officials say was caused by other rioters who inadvertently came into contact with Fitzsimons while trying to attack police.

According to the United States Attorney's Office, District of Columbia, Fitzsimons was illegally on the Capitol grounds on the afternoon of January 6th, with a crowd of rioters. The group was brawling with law enforcement officers at the tunnel entrance of the lower west terrace of the building. While in that area, court documents state that Fitzsimons committed 5 assaults against law enforcement officers over a five-minute span.

He was found guilty in September 2022 of several charges, including obstruction of an official proceeding; assaulting, resisting, or impeding law enforcement officers, including two involving a dangerous weapon or bodily injury; interfering with a law enforcement officer during a civil disorder; and engaging in physical violence in a restricted building or grounds.

How Many People Have Been Charged for Their Participation in the Capitol Riot?

More than 1,069 people have been arrested, to date, in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 350 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement.

The investigation is ongoing.