Pennsylvanian Man Sentenced on Felony Charge for Actions During January 6 Capitol Breach

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A man from Pennsylvania has been handed down a sentence today after admitting his guilt to a serious charge in relation to his actions during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. His behavior, along with that of others, disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress, which had convened to verify and tally the electoral votes pertaining to the 2020 presidential election.

Anthony Nolf, a 38-year-old resident of Birdsboro, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced to three months in prison. Additionally, he will serve five months of home detention as part of a 36-month supervised release. Furthermore, he has been ordered to pay $2,000 in restitution. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge Beryl A. Howell. Nolf pleaded guilty to one count of civil disorder, which is a felony, on October 20, 2023.

According to court documents, Nolf participated in the "Stop the Steal" rally at the Ellipse and subsequently made his way to the Capitol building to express his frustration with the election. Upon reaching the West Plaza, he encountered metal bike racks that were being used as protective fencing. Nolf actively assisted in dismantling the fencing by passing it back to a co-defendant who handed it to him.

Nolf proceeded to the Lower West Terrace Tunnel, where some of the most violent attacks on law enforcement officers occurred on January 6th. At this location, Nolf witnessed rioters assaulting the officers. Despite this, Nolf and other individuals entered the Tunnel around 4:17 p.m.

Once inside the Tunnel, Nolf actively participated in a coordinated effort with other rioters to push against the assembled police line. As he moved deeper into the Tunnel, he positioned himself lower and used his shoulder to apply pressure to the rioters in front of him, thereby increasing the force against the officers defending the Tunnel. Moments later, Nolf can be seen smiling. The officers began removing the rioters from the Tunnel, including Nolf, at approximately 4:21 p.m.

Nolf was arrested by the FBI in Pennsylvania on April 5, 2023.

This case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia, along with the Department of Justice National Security Division's Counterterrorism Section. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney's Offices for the District of Delaware and the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

The FBI's Baltimore Field Office Wilmington Resident Agency, FBI Washington Field Office, and FBI's Philadelphia Field Office Allentown Resident Agency conducted an extensive investigation into this case. The U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department provided invaluable assistance.

Over the course of 41 months since January 6, 2021, a total of more than 1,450 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for various crimes connected to the breach of the U.S. Capitol. Among these charges, over 500 individuals have been accused of assaulting or obstructing law enforcement officers, which is considered a felony offense. It is important to note that the investigation is still ongoing.