A Colorado Springs man has been sentenced to 33 months in prison and 12 months of supervised release for his role in the January 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot. The man, identified as Jacob Travis Clark, was found guilty of obstruction of an official proceeding, a felony, and several misdemeanors, including engaging in physical violence in a restricted building. The sentencing was announced by the United States Attorney for the District of Columbia.
According to a news release, Clark’s involvement in the riot was captured through text messages and surveillance videos. In one of his text messages, Clark expressed anticipation for a “revolt” on January 6 and mentioned that some individuals planned to bring guns, which are prohibited in Washington, D.C. On January 5, 2021, Clark drove from Colorado to Washington, D.C., and was among the first to enter the Capitol through the Senate Wing doors.
Surveillance footage showed Clark walking down the hallway from the Senate Wing Door toward the Crypt, holding a 2×4 wooden plank. Moments later, a U.S. Capitol Police Officer was struck with the wooden plank, causing the officer visible pain and forcing them to retreat into the Crypt. Clark then joined other rioters and threatened police officers, pushing further into the Capitol.
Clark was arrested by the FBI on April 21, 2021, in Colorado Springs. He was subsequently found guilty in January 2023. Since the events of January 6, 2021, over 1,100 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol.
