Wisconsin Man Sentenced to Prison for Assaulting Police With Chemical Bear Spray During Jan. 6 Capitol Breach

          WASHINGTON – A Wisconsin man was sentenced to prison on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024, for his actions during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. 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.

          Riley Kasper, 25, of Pulaski, Wisconsin, was sentenced to 37 months in prison by U.S. District Court Judge Royce C. Lamberth for assaulting law enforcement officers during a civil disorder, a felony. Judge Lamberth also ordered Kasper to serve 24 months of supervised release and to pay restitution of $2,000.

          Kasper’s actions were documented by body-worn cameras from the Metropolitan Police Department, open-source video, and Kasper’s own postings, in which he boasted about his exploits and his assault on multiple officers. Kasper pleaded guilty in the District of Columbia on Sept. 15, 2023, to assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers or employees.

          According to court documents, on Jan. 6, 2021, starting at 1:50 p.m., Kasper sprayed an aerosol canister of bear spray toward law enforcement officers who were attempting to secure the Capitol building and grounds. That day, Kasper also communicated on social media with another individual, declaring, among other things:

          “I pepper-sprayed 3 cops so bad they got undressed and went home, gently brazed [sic] many others several times. I basically organized my own little militia and we f----ing took over Congress.” He also wrote, “I mean the rest of the crowd gave support, but as you can see in that video it was my group that busted the first gate and kept chasing the cops down and pushing them back into the capital [sic].”

          The next day, Kasper communicated with another individual on social media, stating, “You charge that line and start spraying they start running for cover like you’re coming at them with an ak” and “there is definitely something satisfying about pepper spraying cops in riot gear and watching them run from you like a b--- even though they have face masks, billy clubs and full fucking body armor.”         

          Kasper also wrote a message gloating: “As the day went on there were cops that started taking our advice and leaving, idk if they quit cause they wanted to make it home alive or if their commander let them. But yeah, one dude got pulled into the crowd and slammed on the ground on his back and his club, pepper spray, cuffs, radio everything got ripped from his belt, somehow I took out my baton and got right down in his face and screamed just go back home then stood up offered him a hand to get up and give him his radio back cause I had that lol and he turned and walked away and as far as I know left. I’m pretty sure dude thought he was gonna die that day lol.”

          Kasper was arrested on March 16, 2023, in Ashland, Wisconsin.

          After his arrest, Kasper was also recorded in a conversation from jail. In the conversation, Kasper described the image of himself holding the can of bear spray against officers as making him look “like a f---in badass.”

          This case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Wisconsin and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California.

          The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Milwaukee and Washington Field Offices. Valuable assistance was provided by the Metropolitan Police Department and the U.S. Capitol Police.

          In the 37 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,313 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 469 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, a felony. The investigation remains ongoing.

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