Ohio Man Sentenced on Felony and Misdemeanors Committed During Jan. 6 Capitol Breach

            WASHINGTON – An Ohio man was sentenced in the District of Columbia today on five offenses, including a felony, committed during the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol. His actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election.

            Alexander Sheppard, 24, of Powell, Ohio, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge John D. Bates to serve 19 months in prison and 24 months of supervised release. Sheppard also was ordered to pay $3,170 in restitution and fines.

            Sheppard was found guilty in January of obstruction of an official proceeding, a felony, entering and remaining in a restricted grounds or building, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly conduct in a Capitol building, and parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building.

            Sheppard originally had been scheduled to be sentenced on April 26, 2023. Sheppard had claimed the siege of the U.S. Capitol was a “false flag” operation planned by or involving the government, “federal agitators,” and Antifa.

            According to evidence introduced at trial, Sheppard was among the first rioters to enter the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, and joined others in overrunning multiple police lines established to stop the mob’s spread. Inside the Crypt, he and fellow rioters were captured on video as they pushed through a police line designed to prevent the mob from moving towards the House Chamber where members of Congress were present. He then recorded a video of himself proudly proclaiming: “I’m here with some goddamn heroes, and we just shut down Congress! They called an emergency session, they said we’re too scared, they’ve shut down Congress. Let’s fucking go!”

            Additional video showed Sheppard running to the Speaker’s Lobby doors and screaming at the U.S. Capitol Police officers who stood guard there while House members and staff prepared to evacuate behind them. Sheppard captured video of fleeing members of congress and looked on as other rioters violently punched out the windows of the doors— just inches away from the officers’ heads. Sheppard left only after witnessing another rioter get shot by law enforcement after attempting to climb through the broken windows of the same doors.

            In the days following the breach, Sheppard posted threatening statements on social media directed towards the Vice President. On Jan. 9, 2021, Sheppard posted on Parler, “[w]e shouldn’t hang Mike Pence. Firing squad!”

            FBI agents arrested Sheppard on Feb. 22, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio.  

            This case was investigated by the FBI’s Cincinnati and Washington Field Offices. Police from Columbus provided cooperation and assistance in the investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.

            The case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. Valuable assistance was provided by U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio.

            In the 31 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,106 individuals have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 350 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement.

            Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.