Chesapeake man sentenced for involvement in Jan. 6 riots

CHESAPEAKE, Va. (WAVY) — Antonio Lamotta is a 64-year-old man from Chesapeake who was previously convicted on felony and misdemeanor charges related to his conduct during the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol.

He was sentenced on Wednesday to six months in prison, 24 months of supervised release, and ordered to pay $2,000 in restitution by U.S. District Judge Jia M. Cobb.

Lamotta was found guilty in March 2024 of felony civil disorder and two misdemeanor offenses of disorderly conduct in a Capitol building and parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building.

On Jan. 4, 2021, Lamotta traveled to Washington D.C. He was then at the rally near the Senate Russell Building on Jan. 6 before later going to the U.S. Capitol during the riots.

According to a release, Lamotta joined rioters in forcing their way into the building through the East Rotunda Doors. Despite law enforcement officers trying to clear the area, he turned to the rioters behind him and “waved 19 times” to urge rioters toward the Rotunda. When officers tried to push the line back, Lamotta attempted to stand his ground as some people around him violently resisted the officers.

Officers forced Lamotta and others out through the East Rotunda Door at around 3:30 p.m. Lamotta remained on Capitol grounds until around 5 p.m. He was arrested on Aug. 16, 2022, near the Philadelphia Convention Center, where votes were being counted after being seen in possession of a firearm without a permit to carry in the state.

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