On June 10, a 49-year-old man from Fincastle, Virginia was sentenced to 72 months in prison for interfering with law enforcement during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Markus Maly was also sentenced to 36 months of supervised release. He was found guilty of multiple felonies, including entering and remaining in a restricted building with a dangerous weapon and all counts of assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers using a dangerous weapon.
Evidence of Maly's Intent
U.S. District Court Judge Amit P. Mehta found Maly guilty on Dec. 6, 2022 following a jury trial. Government evidence revealed that Maly had sprayed a chemical irritant at police officers on the Lower West Terrace of the Capitol Building and had assisted co-defendants Jeffrey Scott Brown and Peter Schwartz with their spraying. Maly was also found to have attempted to take home a riot shield as a "trophy," among other actions.
Moreover, Maly had posted a message to his girlfriend the following day, saying that his participation in the events of Jan. 6 was “so fun.” He also informed another individual through social media that he had “stood his ground and went back for seconds and thirds even.”
Prosecution and Investigation of Markus Maly
The prosecution of Maly was conducted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section. The FBI’s Richmond Field Office’s Roanoke Resident Agency and Washington Field Office provided valuable assistance in his investigation. The Metropolitan Police Department and the U.S. Capitol Police also provided support in apprehending Maly.
Nationwide Response
Since the attack on Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,000 individuals in nearly 50 states have been charged for related crimes. This includes nearly 350 individuals who have been charged with assaulting and impeding law enforcement. In order to increase the chances of apprehension and prosecution, members of the public are encouraged to submit tips to the FBI.
The investigation into the Capitol attack remains ongoing.
