Virginia Man Sentenced to Eight Years for Role in Capitol Riot
WASHINGTON – Zachary Jordan Alam, a 32-year-old from Centreville, Virginia, has been sentenced to eight years in prison following his conviction for multiple offenses related to the January 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol breach. His sentencing was announced today in Washington, D.C., where a federal jury previously found him guilty of eight felonies and three misdemeanors.
U.S. District Judge Dabney L. Friedrich handed down the sentence, which includes 96 months in prison, 36 months of supervised release, and a restitution payment of $4,484.
Convictions and Charges
On September 12, 2023, Alam was convicted of several serious charges. These include assaulting officers, using a dangerous weapon, civil disorder, destruction of government property, and obstruction of an official proceeding. Additional charges involved entering and remaining in a restricted building with a deadly weapon and engaging in violent conduct in such areas.
In addition to the felonies, Alam faced misdemeanor convictions for disorderly conduct, engaging in physical violence, and participating in unauthorized demonstrations within the Capitol premises.
Details of the Incident
According to court records, Alam joined a group of rioters who unlawfully gathered on the Capitol’s west lawn on January 6, 2021. He assisted others in scaling barriers to enter the Capitol building, making his way inside through a broken window near the Senate Wing emergency exit.
Alam spent over half an hour inside, moving across various floors. Notably, he attempted to force open a door on the fourth floor and threw objects at police officers from a balcony on the third floor.
At one point, Alam was present in the Will Rogers corridor, where he confronted officers and was part of a mob that pushed through police lines. When he and others failed to breach the House Main Door, they moved to the Speaker’s Lobby doors. Here, Alam broke several glass panes, threatening officers and rallying the crowd.
Aftermath and Arrest
Alam was apprehended by the FBI on January 30, 2021, in Denver, Pennsylvania. Authorities discovered evidence suggesting Alam intended to flee and discard evidence linking him to the January 6 events.
Ongoing Investigation
The case was led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice’s National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section. Assistance came from various agencies, including the FBI’s Washington and Philadelphia offices, the U.S. Capitol Police, and the Metropolitan Police Department.
Since January 6, 2021, over 1,561 individuals across nearly all 50 states have faced charges for their involvement in the Capitol breach. More than 590 have been charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement.
