Michael Sparks, the first rioter to breach the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, was sentenced to 53 months in federal prison. Sparks maintained his belief in Trump's false claims about the 2020 election. U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Kelly, who presided over the case, emphasized the severity of Sparks' actions, stating they contributed to undermining a peaceful transfer of power. Although a Supreme Court decision impacted one of the charges against Sparks, the judge still considered his intent to obstruct the certification of Electoral College votes.
