Virginia Man Sentenced to Prison for Capitol Riot Involvement
WASHINGTON – A Virginia resident has been sentenced to prison following a conviction for his involvement in the January 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol. Micaiah Joseph, 34, of Triangle, Virginia, received a 37-month prison sentence on November 12, 2024. His actions, along with those of others, disrupted a joint session of Congress assembled to certify the 2020 presidential election results.
Sentencing Details
U.S. District Judge Rudolph Contreras sentenced Joseph to 37 months in prison, followed by 36 months of supervised release. Additionally, Joseph was ordered to pay $2,000 in restitution. A federal jury had previously convicted him on June 10, 2024, of two felonies: civil disorder and assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers. Joseph was also found guilty of four misdemeanor charges, including unlawful entry and disorderly conduct within restricted Capitol grounds.
Incident Overview
According to court documents, Joseph attended the “Stop the Steal” rally on January 6, 2021, before joining a large crowd that marched toward the Capitol. He entered the restricted grounds and participated in physical confrontations with law enforcement at the Capitol’s Lower West Terrace, particularly at an entrance known as the “Tunnel.” This location was the scene of intense violence against officers, who defended the entrance for over two and a half hours against rioters.
Joseph was identified wearing a tricorn-style hat, gas mask, and body armor. He actively engaged in the siege by pushing against officers and aiding others in similar actions. He entered the Tunnel around 3:00 p.m., maneuvered through the crowd, and joined efforts to push back the police line. During the altercation, he handed his gas mask to another rioter and re-engaged in the confrontation before exiting the Tunnel at approximately 3:13 p.m.
Investigation and Prosecution
The FBI arrested Joseph on January 18, 2023, in Virginia. The case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, with assistance from the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. The FBI’s Washington Field Office led the investigation, with support from the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.
Joseph was identified as BOLO (Be on the Lookout) #221 in the FBI’s publicized images. Since January 6, 2021, more than 1,561 individuals have faced charges related to the Capitol breach, with over 590 charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement. The investigation continues as authorities seek accountability for the events of that day.
