Jamiesfeast – A rioter from the January 6th incident, who prosecutors claimed played a significant role in instigating the violence that resulted in the U.S. Capitol being taken over, has been found guilty of several felonies. The verdict was reached on Friday, and four co-defendants were also convicted.
Ryan Samsel has been consistently identified as the individual whose actions triggered a once raucous pro-Donald Trump demonstration to escalate into a full-fledged riot. It is believed that he was among the initial, and potentially the very first, individuals to forcefully breach the barricades at the Peace Circle and hurl them at law enforcement officers.
A 39-year-old barber from Pennsylvania, named Samsel, has been found guilty on federal assault charges and for obstructing the confirmation of the 2020 presidential election. He is scheduled for a sentencing hearing in June, where he could potentially face several years in prison.
The action is thought to have paved the way for a surge of rioters to enter the U.S. Capitol. While the officers were being attacked by other rioters, Samsel and four other men, who were previously unacquainted, engaged in further violence by fighting with the officers and urging others to move forward.
According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexandra F. Foster, these individuals are the ones who initiated the incident. She strongly believes that their actions sparked a chain of events that led to the breach of the Capitol, resulting in a prolonged period of chaos and unrest. Foster asserts that it is now their duty to accept accountability for their role in this incident.
Before his arrest, Samsel gained widespread attention in viral videos from the riot. These videos depicted him assaulting officers and engaging in conversation with Joe Biggs, a leader of the Proud Boys, just moments before charging the barricades. Additionally, he was seen briefly talking with Ray Epps, which sparked a series of unfounded pro-Trump conspiracy theories suggesting that Epps was a federal agent intentionally inciting chaos at the Capitol to ensnare Trump supporters.
During the seditious conspiracy trial for the Proud Boy leader, Samsel’s encounter with Biggs emerged as a significant factor. This encounter ultimately led to Biggs being sentenced to 17 years in federal prison.
Samsel did not testify in his defense, and the same was true for his co-defendants. These individuals included James T. Grant from North Carolina, Paul R. Johnson from Virginia, Stephen C. Randolph from Kentucky, and Jason B. Blythe from Texas.
“I landed with my head on the stairs,” Edwards recalled, as reported by NBC News. “The house was well-lit, but there was no one there.”
Samsel has been in custody since January 2021 following his arrest, primarily due to his recent assault convictions.