A man from Washington state, Taylor James Johnatakis, was sentenced to over seven years in prison for his role in orchestrating a mob’s attack on police officers guarding the U.S. Capitol during the January 6, 2021 riot. U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth noted that Johnatakis played a leadership role during the attack, leading other rioters in charging against a police line, giving directions through a megaphone, and commanding the crowd on how to overpower officers. The judge emphasized that Johnatakis was a leader in the angry mob and knew what he was doing that day, leading to his sentence of seven years and three months behind bars.
Johnatakis, who represented himself with an attorney on standby, has expressed rhetoric inspired by the anti-government “sovereign citizen” movement. During his sentencing, he asked the judge questions related to repentance for his sins, to which the judge dismissed as “gobbledygook.” Prosecutors had recommended a nine-year prison sentence for Johnatakis, describing him as a leader who organized and encouraged the assault on officers at the Capitol on January 6. A jury convicted Johnatakis of felony charges after a trial in Washington, D.C., where he was seen with a megaphone during the attack on the Capitol.
Johnatakis was one of the first rioters to chase a group of police officers retreating up stairs outside the Capitol, shouting and gesturing for others to prepare to attack. He was also seen shoving a metal barricade into a line of officers and grabbing an officer’s arm. After leaving the Capitol, Johnatakis posted on social media that “the crime is complete.” He was arrested in February 2021 and has been in jail since November 2023 when jurors convicted him of multiple charges, including obstruction of the Jan. 6 joint session of Congress that certified Joe Biden’s 2020 electoral victory.
Justice Department prosecutor Courtney Howard stated that Johnatakis has not shown sincere remorse or accepted responsibility for his actions on January 6, portraying himself as a persecuted victim instead. The judge received over 20 letters from Johnatakis, his relatives, and friends, some of whom may not fully understand the extent of his crimes. Lamberth emphasized that there is no room in the country for political violence like the Capitol riot, ordering that all supporters receive copies of his prepared remarks during the sentencing hearing.
In total, approximately 1,350 people have been charged with Capitol riot-related federal crimes, with over 800 of them already sentenced to terms of imprisonment ranging from several days to 22 years. Johnatakis’ sentencing serves as a reminder of the consequences for those who played leadership roles in the attack on the U.S. Capitol, highlighting the seriousness of such actions and the need to hold those responsible accountable for their crimes.
