Maryland Man Sentenced for Role in January 6 Capitol Breach
WASHINGTON—A Maryland resident has been sentenced to prison after pleading guilty to a felony charge for his involvement in the January 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol. His actions, along with those of others, disrupted a joint session of Congress convened to certify the electoral votes from the 2020 presidential election.
Nicholas Ortt Sentenced
Nicholas Ortt, 43, of Mount Airy, Maryland, received a sentence of 27 months in prison, followed by 36 months of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $2,000 in restitution by U.S. District Judge Loren L. AliKhan. Ortt had previously pleaded guilty to a felony offense of assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers.
Events of January 6
According to court documents, Ortt traveled to Washington, D.C., on January 6, 2021, to attend the “Stop the Steal” rally and protest the 2020 election results. After the rally, he joined a crowd moving towards the U.S. Capitol and entered the restricted perimeter on the Capitol’s west side, eventually reaching the West Plaza.
At approximately 2:28 p.m., Ortt and other rioters breached the police line on the West Plaza. In the process, Ortt forcibly assaulted and struggled with several officers who were attempting to maintain the line. He grabbed officers’ batons and continued to impede their efforts, preventing reinforcement of the police line. Although officers eventually repelled Ortt’s advance, the police line collapsed shortly afterward, allowing rioters, including Ortt, to flood onto the Lower West Terrace.
Social Media Activity
Later that day, Ortt posted on Facebook about his participation in the riot, sharing a photograph of himself outside the Capitol celebrating with another rioter who was brandishing a stolen USCP riot shield. Ortt wrote about his involvement, stating, “Never was prouder to be part of it,” and, “Trust me I was there at the front lines.”
Ongoing Investigation
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section prosecuted the case, with assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland. The FBI’s Baltimore and Washington Field Offices investigated the case, with support from the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.
Since January 6, 2021, more than 1,504 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the Capitol breach. This includes over 560 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, a felony. The investigation remains ongoing.
