WASHINGTON — A Pilot Mountain man was found guilty in the District of Columbia last week of both felony and misdemeanor charges during the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.
Christopher Raphael Spencer, 43, of Pilot Mountain, was convicted of obstruction of an official proceeding, a felony, and misdemeanor offenses of entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly conduct in a Capitol building, and parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building.
Spencer was convicted following a stipulated bench trial in front of U.S. District Court Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly. Spencer will be sentenced at a later date.
His wife, Virginia Marie “Jenny” Spencer, was previously convicted and sentenced to 90 days incarceration for her role in the uprising.
“His actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election,” officials with the Justice Department said.
According to the government’s stipulated evidence, Spencer and his wife traveled from Pilot Mountain to Washington, D.C., to see the then-President Trump on Jan. 6, 2021. At some time during the day, the couple walked to the U.S. Capitol building and into the restricted perimeter of the Capitol grounds, bypassing bike rack barricades.
“The couple made their way into a crowd of rioters gathered near the Inauguration stage on the west side of the Capitol building. The two watched as rioters attacked police and climbed the walls of the Capitol and the Inauguration stage scaffolding. The couple then ascended the stairs underneath the scaffolding to the Northwest Terrace near the Senate Wing of the Capitol,” the Justice Department statement said.
“At approximately 2:19 p.m., the Spencers entered the Capitol building via the Senate Wing Door. The couple then made their way into the Crypt and observed as rioters clashed with police. During this time, Christopher filmed a Facebook Live Video and urged rioters to “Don’t stop!” in relation to an ensuing struggle with police. The two then made their way to the second floor and went briefly into the hallway offices of former Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi. Christopher Spencer again recorded a Facebook live video in which he stated, ‘Where’s Nancy’s office?’”
“The couple then made their way to the House Chamber and Christopher recorded a video, in which he stated, “Kick that m— open!” in reference to the House Chamber door. In another video, Christopher yelled, “Smile, m—, smile b—, f— traitor!” at United States Capitol Police officers as they were involved in an altercation with a rioter.
“The couple spent approximately 30 minutes inside the Capitol.”
The FBI arrested the couple on Feb. 8, 2021, in North Carolina.
This case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.
The case was investigated by the FBI’s Charlotte and Washington Field Offices. The U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department provided assistance.
In the 37 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,313 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 469 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, a felony. The investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with tips can call 800-225-5324 or visit tips.fbi.gov.
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