A New Jersey electrician who participated in the Jan. 6, 2021, siege at the U.S. Capitol was sentenced to 12 years in prison by a judge who called him “a menace to our society.” Christopher Joseph Quaglin, 38, engaged in violent acts against police officers during the riot, including choking and tackling an officer to the ground, and assaulting others with stolen police shields, metal bike racks, and pepper spray. Quaglin clashed with law enforcement for approximately three hours while wearing an “Make America Great Again” sweatshirt.
During his sentencing hearing, Quaglin argued with and insulted U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden, claiming he was Trump’s worst mistake of 2016. He also pushed conspiracy theories about the Jan. 6 siege and disputed the characterization of the attack as an insurrection. The judge condemned Quaglin’s behavior in court, labeling it as an outrage and a disgrace. Prosecutors had sought a 14-year prison sentence for Quaglin, describing him as one of the most violent rioters during the Capitol siege.
Quaglin was convicted of six separate assaults on police officers and was said to have struck or pushed another dozen officers during the Jan. 6 attack. Prosecutors stated that Quaglin understood the constitutional significance of the day and intended to disrupt Congress’ certification of President Joe Biden’s electoral victory by any means necessary. Only seven Capitol riot defendants have received longer prison sentences than Quaglin among the approximately 1,400 individuals charged in connection with the riot.
Quaglin participated in then-President Donald Trump’s “Stop the Steal” rally before joining the mob that stormed the Capitol. He engaged in multiple violent acts against law enforcement officers at the scene, including attacking Capitol Police Sgt. Troy Robinson, sparking a brawl in which other rioters joined in. Prosecutors described Quaglin as part of some of the most aggressive attacks on officers during the riot, including stealing a shield from an officer, pepper-spraying multiple officers, and participating in a collective effort to push against a police line.
While in custody, Quaglin’s defense attorney argued that he had received inadequate medical treatment and was coerced into accepting a stipulated bench trial instead of a contested trial. The judge rebuked Quaglin for his actions on Jan. 6, stating that the events of that day were shocking and lawless. The sentencing of Quaglin to 12 years in prison for his role in the Capitol siege is one of the longest among the hundreds of cases related to the riot. Prosecutors emphasized the seriousness of his violent actions and his intent to disrupt the democratic process.
