A Colorado Springs man was sentenced Monday to nearly three years in prison for his part during the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot that sought to stop President Joe Biden’s electoral votes from being certified.
Jacob Travis Clark, 34, was sentenced to 33 months in prison and 12 months of supervised release after being found guilty of obstruction of an official proceeding, a felony, and several misdemeanors, including engaging in physical violence in a restricted building, according to a news release from the United States Attorney for the District of Columbia.
Clark’s criminal conduct on Jan. 6 was captured in his text messages and surveillance videos of him entering and remaining in the Capitol building, the news release stated.
Clark stated in one of his text messages he anticipated Jan. 6 to be a “revolt,” and said, “They are going into D.C. and bringing guns. Which isn’t allowed in D.C. They aren’t gonna let Biden win.”
He drove to Washington, D.C., from Colorado on Jan. 5, 2021, and was one of the first to enter the Capitol through the Senate Wing doors.
“Clark was then observed walking down the hallway from the Senate Wing Door toward the Crypt holding a 2×4 wooden plank,” the news release stated. “Moments later, a U.S. Capitol Police Officer (USCP) was hit with the wooden 2×4 plank, which forced the officer to retreat into the Crypt in visible pain.”
Clark then joined more rioters and threatened police officers, pushing further into the Capitol.
The FBI arrested Clark on Apr. 21, 2021, in Colorado Springs. He was found guilty in January 2023.
In the 33 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,100 people have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol.