Oregon Man Sentenced for Role in U.S. Capitol Breach
WASHINGTON – On November 14, 2024, an Oregon resident received a prison sentence for his involvement in the January 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol breach, which disrupted a joint session of Congress tasked with certifying the 2020 presidential election results.
Details of the Sentencing
Matthew Leland Klein, aged 27, from Pendleton, Oregon, was sentenced to 90 days in prison followed by 36 months of supervised release. Klein had previously admitted to a felony charge of civil disorder and a misdemeanor charge for entering and remaining on restricted grounds, pleading guilty on July 17, 2024. U.S. District Judge Randolph D. Moss presided over the sentencing.
Events of January 6, 2021
Court documents reveal that Matthew Klein and his brother, Jonathanpeter Allen Klein, traveled from Portland, Oregon, to Washington, D.C., for the “Stop the Steal” rally. Post-rally, they proceeded to the Capitol, entering the restricted area and subsequently separating.
Amidst the chaos, Klein ascended the Northwest Staircase and entered scaffolding set up for the Inaugural stage. From this vantage point, he observed the confrontation between officers and rioters. Klein eventually entered the Capitol at approximately 2:18 p.m. via the Senate Wing Door, brandishing a Gadsden flag, and exited about ten minutes later through a broken window.
Despite exiting the building, Klein remained on Capitol grounds. He later regrouped with his brother near the North Door, where they and other rioters forcefully opened the door, causing over $10,000 in damages as estimated by the Architect of the Capitol. Klein then donned safety goggles, anticipating the use of chemical sprays by law enforcement, and obstructed officers attempting to resecure the door.
Legal Proceedings and Investigation
The FBI arrested Matthew and Jonathanpeter Klein in Oregon on March 23, 2021. Jonathanpeter Klein is scheduled for sentencing on December 2, 2024.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice’s National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section prosecuted the case with support from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon. The investigation was conducted by the FBI’s Portland and Washington Field Offices, with Matthew Klein identified as BOLO #127R and Jonathanpeter Klein as BOLO #127L.
Assistance was also provided by the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department. To date, over 1,561 individuals from nearly all 50 states have faced charges related to the Capitol breach, including more than 590 charged with assaulting law enforcement. The investigation continues.
