Trump pardons Jan. 6 rioters | Georgia residents sentenced for riot participation
ATLANTA - On the night of his inauguration, President Donald Trump signed an executive order pardoning many of the over 1,500 people charged in connection with the riot at the Capitol on Jan. 6.
Trump signed a proclamation issuing a "complete and unconditional pardon" to all but 14 people convicted of offenses related to the attack and he cut short the sentences for the other 14 – nine of whom were members of the Oath Keepers and 5 who were members of the Proud Boys.
President Trump ordered his attorney general to make sure that those who are currently being held in prison are released immediately.
What we know:
As of early January, the department had charged just over 1,580 people for crimes related to the riot, 608 of whom were charged with assaulting, resisting or impeding law enforcement, including nearly a third who used a dangerous or deadly weapon, according to the department’s latest figures.
Approximately 1,000 have pleaded guilty — 682 to misdemeanors and 327 to felonies. Just over 200 defendants were found guilty at contested trials, including 10 who were convicted of seditious conspiracy.
There were dozens of Georgia residents who participated in the riot on Jan. 6. Those who were sentenced to significant periods of incarceration included Michael Bradley, Kevin Creek, Bruno Cua, Lisa Eisenhart, William Calhoun, Cleveland Meredith, Ronald McAbee, Jose Padilla, Mitchell Simon, and Jack Whitton.
The following is a list of those with Georgia ties who were convicted:
Zachariah Boulton, Villa Rica
- What they did: Entered the Capitol through a breached door and left 15 minutes later. Did not cause damage or confront police.
- Charges: Parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building.
- Sentence: 2 years probation and a $1,000 fine.
- Source: Department of Justice
Michael Bradley, Forsyth
- What they did: Michael Bradley carried a baton and participated in violent confrontations at the Lower West Terrace Tunnel of the U.S. Capitol, attempting to strike officers and assault them with the baton.
- Charges: Assaulting, resisting, or impeding law enforcement officers with a dangerous weapon.
- Sentence: 60 months in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $2,000 fine.
- Source: Department of Justice
Dominic Box, Savannah
- What they did: Self-described journalist who livestreamed the Capitol breach. Rejected plea deal, resulting in felony obstruction and civil disorder charges.
- Charges: Civil disorder, obstruction, and other misdemeanors.
- Status: Found guilty; awaiting sentencing.
- Source: The Current
William McCall Calhoun Jr., Americus
- What they did: The 57-year-old attorney was arrested on January 15, 2021, after bragging on social media about entering Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office and claiming, "If the Speaker was around, she probably would have been torn into little pieces." The FBI was alerted by a concerned citizen who provided information about his posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Parler.
- Charges: Obstruction of an official proceeding (felony), entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, 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.
- Sentence: 18 months in prison, followed by supervised release.
- Source: Department of Justice
Phillip "Bunky" Crawford
- What they did: Participated in violent confrontations with police in an entrance tunnel to the Senate wing during the Capitol riot.
- Charges: Pleaded guilty to six charges, including civil disorder and three counts of assaulting police (all felonies). Following a trial in June 2023, he was also found guilty of another count of assault and four misdemeanors.
- Status: Scheduled to be sentenced at the end of January 2024.
- Source: Department of Justice
Kevin Creek, Alpharetta
- What they did: Assaulted two officers on the West Terrace.
- Charges: Assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers.
- Sentence: 27 months in prison.
- Source: Department of Justice
Bruno Cua, Milton
- What they did: Entered the Capitol with a baton and was among the few to enter the Senate Chambers. Posted inflammatory rhetoric online.
- Charges: Obstruction of an official proceeding and assaulting officers.
- Sentence: 1 year and 1 day in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release.
- Source: The Hill
Michael Shane Daughtry, Baker County
- What they did: Former police officer who participated in the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021. Court records indicate he forced his way past barricades, tore down fencing, and reached the Capitol door before being forced to retreat after being shot with rubber bullets by law enforcement.
- Charges: Initially pleaded not guilty but later pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count of entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds.
- Sentence: Sentenced in June 2022 to three years of probation, including 60 days of home detention.
- Source: Law & Crime
Lisa Eisenhart, Woodstock
- What they did: Encouraged others to fight police while wearing a tactical vest. Accompanied her son, Eric Munchel, who was sentenced separately.
- Charges: Obstruction and conspiracy.
- Sentence: 2.5 years in prison.
- Source: Department of Justice
Charles "Chuck" Hand, Butler
- What they did: Entered the Capitol with his wife, celebrated participation, and later advised her to deny involvement.
- Charges: Illegally demonstrating inside the Capitol.
- Sentence: 20 days incarceration and 6 months probation.
- Source: Department of Justice
Mandy Robinson-Hand, Butler
- What they did: Entered the Capitol with her husband, Charles Hand, and later apologized in court. Mandy Robinson-Hand was the Taylor County Republican Chairwoman at the time of the riot.
- Charges: Illegally demonstrating at the Capitol.
- Sentence: 20 days incarceration, six months probation, and $500 restitution.
- Source: Department of Justice
William Calhoun Jr., Americus
- What they did: Entered Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s office and posted violent rhetoric on social media.
- Charges: Obstruction of an official proceeding and other misdemeanors.
- Sentence: 18 months in prison.
- Source: Department of Justice
John David Gould, Duluth
- What they did: Spent 40 minutes inside the Capitol, reaching the hallway outside the House chamber.
- Charges: Parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building.
- Sentence: 1 year probation, including 2 months of house arrest.
- Source: Department of Justice
Nolan Harold Kidd and Savannah Danielle McDonald, Elberton
- What they did: Entered the Capitol together, taking photos and videos. Claimed the doors were "wide open."
- Charges: Parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building.
- Sentence (Kidd): 45 days in jail and $500 restitution.
- Source: Department of Justice
- Sentence (McDonald): 21 days in jail and $500 restitution
- Source: Department of Justice
Jonathan Davis Laurens, Duluth
- What they did: Entered the Capitol and posted about his actions on Facebook.
- Charges: Parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building.
- Sentence: 60 days home detention, 12 months probation, and $500 restitution.
- Source: Department of Justice
Cylester Maxwell, Alpharetta
- What they did: Assisted in using a large metal "Trump" sign as a battering ram against police lines.
- Charges: Assaulting officers with a dangerous weapon, civil disorder, and related misdemeanors.
- Sentence: 18 months probation.
- Source: Department of Justice
Jake Maxwell, Athens
- What they did: Participated in the January 6 Capitol riot, traveling from Georgia to Washington, D.C., to attend the "Stop the Steal" rally. Maxwell joined rioters in breaching police lines, banged on and pushed a riot shield, grabbed an officer’s baton, and climbed scaffolding erected for the Inauguration. He cheered and observed violence from the Upper West Terrace and returned to the Tunnel area during escalating attacks on police.
- Charges: Found guilty of civil disorder (felony) and two misdemeanors: entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds and disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds.
- Sentence: Sentenced to 18 months probation.
- Source: The Current
Cleveland Meredith Jr., Hiawassee
- What they did: Meredith texted threats to Speaker Nancy Pelosi and D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, brought firearms and 2,500 rounds of ammunition to D.C.
- Charges: Transmitting a threat in interstate commerce.
- Sentence: 28 months in prison (with credit for 11 months served).
- Source: Department of Justice
Ronald Colton McAbee, Cherokee County
- What they did: Former deputy sheriff in Cherokee County employed in Tennessee who assaulted police officers at the Capitol’s Lower West Terrace, wearing a bulletproof vest with militia insignia. Dragged an officer and punched another.
- Charges: Assaulting law enforcement officers.
- Sentence: 5 years and 10 months in prison.
- Source: Department of Justice
Verden Andrew Nalley, Buford
- What they did: Entered a restricted building during the riot.
- Charges: Entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds.
- Sentence: 2 years probation, $500 restitution, and 60 hours of community service.
- Source: Department of Justice
Joseph "Jose" Lino Padilla, Cleveland, Tennessee, and Dalton
- What they did: Body camera footage and social media posts show Padilla pushing a barricade, shouting "Push! Push! F****** push!" and using a large sign as a battering ram against officers. Padilla also threw a flagpole at officers during the riot.
- Charges: Found guilty on ten counts, including two assaults on police officers (one with a deadly or dangerous weapon) and obstruction of an official proceeding.
- Sentence: Sentenced to 78 months in prison, followed by 24 months of supervised release. Ordered to pay $2,000 in restitution.
- Source: Department of Justice
Blas Santillan, Clayton County
- What they did: Encouraged others to enter the Capitol and recorded videos inside.
- Charges: Parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building.
- Sentence: 45 days in jail, three years probation, and $500 restitution.
- Source: Department of Justice
Mitchell Simon, Jefferson
- What they did: Entered the Capitol, documented his actions on video, and admitted to breaking in.
- Charges: Parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building.
- Sentence: 8 months incarceration, 12 months supervised release, $1,000 fine, and $500 restitution.
- Source: Department of Justice
Benjamin Henry Torre, Dawsonville
- What they did: Entered the Capitol through a broken window, explored multiple rooms, and posed for photos with officers.
- Charges: Parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building.
- Sentence: 12 months probation, including 2 months of home detention, 60 hours community service, $1,113 fine, and $500 restitution.
- Source: Department of Justice
Brian Ulrich, Guyton
- What they did: Member of the Oath Keepers extremist group who coordinated with others in an attempt to obstruct the peaceful transfer of power.
- Charges: Seditious conspiracy.
- Sentence: 3 years of probation, including 6 months of home detention.
- Source: WABE
Matthew Webler, Decatur
- What they did: Entered the Capitol and posted a video shouting "1776" while leaving. Claimed to prevent vandalism by others.
- Charges: Disorderly and disruptive conduct, parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building.
- Sentence: 45 days incarceration (credit for time served) and $500 restitution.
- Source: Department of Justice
Jack Wade Whitton, Locust Grove
- What they did: Used a crutch to assault officers at the Capitol’s Lower West Terrace. Dragged an officer into a mob, where the officer was beaten.
- Charges: Assaulting, resisting, or impeding officers with a deadly weapon.
- Sentence: 57 months in prison, three years of supervised release, and $2,000 restitution.
- Source: Department of Justice
What they're saying:
Family members and supporters of the Jan. 6 defendants jumped in excitement outside the Washington, D.C., jail on Monday night, according to the Washington Post.
Georgia's Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene also voiced her support of the pardons.
However, not everyone supports the rioters being released from prison, including lawmakers whose lives were endangered during the attack in 2021.
Georgia Sen. Jon Ossoff condemned President Trump's actions, calling it a "dangerous and irresponsible" decision by the president.
Georgia Rep. Lucy McBath also released a statement, saying:
"Members of law enforcement laid their lives on the line to protect American democracy on Jan 6. Now, these officers and their families live with the knowledge that their violent attackers have been set free."I know the fear and pain that comes with losing a loved one to violence. After my son Jordan was murdered, we fought for justice. My son's killer is now serving a life sentence. This is not how we show our gratitude to our law enforcement and their families for their service."
PREVIOUS: Lawmakers brace for Trump’s promised Jan. 6 pardons; some are urging restraint
Additionally, Vice President JD Vance told FOX News earlier this month, "If you committed violence on that day, obviously you shouldn't be pardoned."
Four people died during the attack, including a Trump supporter killed by police, and 5 police officers died of various causes after the attack. Approximately 140 police officers ware injured during the incident, according to officials.
Grant Tudor, who is a policy advocate for Protect Democracy, said the pardons send the message that "if you engage in violence on behalf of the cause, Trump will protect you."
Amy Spitalnick, CEO for the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, issued a statement, which says in part "By immediately issuing pardons and commutations for many of the perpetrators of the January 6th, 2021 violent insurrection at the US Capitol, Trump severely undermines justice and accountability for the terrible crimes committed that day. He has sent a disturbing clear signal that perpetrators of anti-democratic political violence can expect to be treated with leniency and relative impunity by the Trump administration, as long as their goals and ideology align with Trump’s own political movement."
What's next:
FOX 5 Atlanta is working to determine the status of those who were incarcerated. Check back for updates.