A Kentucky man affiliated with a militia group has been sentenced to five years in prison for his involvement in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, where a mob sought to prevent the certification of President Biden’s electoral victory.
Dan Edwin Wilson, 48, was sentenced after pleading guilty to charges of conspiring to obstruct law enforcement officers and illegally possessing firearms. Wilson admitted that he had planned for weeks to travel to Washington, D.C., with the intention of disrupting the certification process.
On the day of the attack, Wilson communicated with members of far-right groups, including the Oath Keepers and Three Percenters, as he participated in the breach of the Capitol. While inside the Capitol, wearing a gas mask, Wilson sent messages urging others to join the assault. Although he did not engage in physical violence, his actions were deemed part of a broader effort to undermine the democratic process.
U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich highlighted Wilson’s intent, stating that his goal was to interfere with the peaceful transfer of power. “This isn’t about his words alone; it’s about his deliberate attempt to disrupt Congress,” the judge noted.
During sentencing, Wilson expressed regret, claiming he had believed he was acting in response to a national crisis. However, prosecutors pointed out that Wilson’s extensive planning and coordination with extremist groups reflected a clear willingness to engage in disruptive actions.
Evidence presented in court showed that Wilson began preparing for the January 6 events as early as late 2020, with discussions about potentially bringing firearms to the Capitol. In one message, dated December 27, 2020, Wilson wrote, “I’m ready to risk it all. Sometimes good people need to do bad things.”
Wilson’s defense argued that he was caught up in the chaos of the day and did not intend to participate in an insurrection. However, prosecutors maintained that his involvement was part of a coordinated effort to interfere with the certification of the election results.
Wilson’s sentencing is part of the ongoing legal response to the January 6 riot, which has led to charges against over 1,400 individuals. To date, approximately 950 of those charged have been convicted and sentenced, reflecting the extensive and continuing legal fallout from the attack on the Capitol.
