Law enforcement officials are on the hunt for Antony Vo, a convicted U.S. Capitol rioter who failed to report to prison earlier this summer to serve his nine-month sentence. Vo, from Indiana, was sentenced in April and was expected to report to the federal correctional facility in Terre Haute, Indiana, but has been missing for weeks. There is speculation that Vo may be in Canada, according to sources familiar with the situation.
Vo had already faced scrutiny during his criminal case for violating pretrial release conditions, referring to the court system as a “kangaroo court,” criticizing the judge, and posting conspiracy theories about the January 6, 2021, events on social media. He was convicted by a federal jury of four criminal counts, including disorderly conduct, with prosecutors arguing that he was part of the mob inside the Capitol, taking photos and yelling “Freedom!” during the chaos.
During a court hearing in April, prosecutors highlighted Vo’s pattern of defiance against the court system, including violating his pretrial release conditions by attending a protest and criticizing the judge and court on social media. Despite being convicted, Vo showed a lack of remorse for his actions and continued to dispute his guilt on social media, leading to Judge Tanya Chutkan criticizing his behavior and demeanor during the trial. She sentenced him to nine months in prison and expressed concerns about his attitude towards the law.
Following his sentencing, Vo was allowed to remain free until the start of his prison term, during which time he posted complaints on social media about the court’s handling of his case. His defense attorney declined to comment, and the FBI and Justice Department also declined to provide any additional information. Vo’s mother is also charged in connection with the Capitol breach and has a court appearance scheduled for next month, adding to the complexities of their legal situation.
Several other Jan. 6 defendants have been fugitives since the Capitol riot prosecutions began, with some, like Vo, failing to appear for their sentencing hearings. One such fugitive, Christopher Worrell, a member of the Proud Boys from Florida, was captured when he attempted to return home covertly. The ongoing search for Vo and others missing from their sentencing hearings highlights the challenges law enforcement faces in bringing all those involved in the Capitol riot to justice. The case against Vo and his mother continues, with efforts underway to locate and bring them to justice for their roles in the events of January 6, 2021.
