A New Jersey electrician, Christopher Joseph Quaglin, was sentenced to 12 years in prison for his involvement in the Jan. 6, 2021 siege at the U.S. Capitol, during which he repeatedly attacked police officers. Quaglin was described as “a menace to our society” by the judge who sentenced him. He wore a “Make America Great Again” sweatshirt during the assault and used stolen police shields, metal bike racks, and pepper spray to attack officers for roughly three hours. Quaglin complained about his jail conditions and pushed conspiracy theories during his court appearance, where he clashed with the judge and called it a “kangaroo court.”
Prosecutors asked for a 14-year prison sentence for Quaglin, citing the violent and intentional nature of his actions on Jan. 6. The judge convicted him of six separate assaults on police officers and noted that Quaglin understood the significance of the attack on the Capitol. He was one of roughly 1,400 individuals charged in relation to the Capitol riot, and only seven have received longer prison sentences than Quaglin. The judge decided the case in a stipulated bench trial, allowing Quaglin to maintain his appeal rights even though he did not plead guilty.
Quaglin traveled from New Jersey to attend then-President Donald Trump’s “Stop the Steal” rally near the White House on Jan. 6, where he recorded a video of himself marching to the Capitol in protective gear. He assaulted Capitol Police Sgt. Troy Robinson, sparking chaos and violence among the rioters and officers. Quaglin participated in several brutal attacks against law enforcement officers, stealing shields and pepper spraying them in the face. He celebrated his actions after the riot, describing it as a “great time” where he got “bumps and bruises” and had a “good time.”
Defense attorney Kristi Fulnecky argued that Quaglin received inadequate medical treatment while in jail and was coerced into accepting a stipulated bench trial instead of a contested trial. The judge, however, described Quaglin’s actions on Jan. 6 as “shocking and lawless” and told him that he had allowed the events of that day to define him. Quaglin’s aggressive and confrontational behavior in the courtroom led to clashes with the judge, whom he insulted as “Trump’s worst mistake of 2016.” Despite his complaints about jail conditions and insistence on conspiracy theories, Quaglin was sentenced to 12 years in prison for his role in the Capitol siege.
Overall, Quaglin’s sentencing represents one of the longest prison terms handed down in connection with the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. The prosecution argued that he played a significant role in the violent assault on officers and sought a 14-year prison sentence. The judge convicted Quaglin of multiple assault charges and noted the intentional disruption of Congress’ certification of the 2020 election. Despite his complaints and conspiracy theories, Quaglin’s actions on Jan. 6 were deemed reprehensible and deserving of a lengthy prison sentence.
