Pennsylvania brothers plead guilty to assaulting officers on January 6

(WHTM) – Two Pennsylvania brothers have pled guilty to charges stemming from the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the District of Columbia , Matthew Valentin, 31, of Stroudsburg, pled guilty to two felony counts of assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers.

Andrew Valentin, 26, pled guilty to one felony count of assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers and a second felony count of assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers with a deadly or dangerous weapon.

U.S. District Judge Reggie B. Walton will sentence the brothers on Jan. 17, 2025.

The Justice Department says the Valentin brothers were identified by video walking from the Washington Monument along Constitution Ave. toward the Capitol. They made their way to the West Plaza of the Capitol, climbed a media tower in the area, and then joined a crowd that pushed through a metal barricade into a line of Capitol Police officers.

Matthew Valentin, according to the Justice Department, sprayed a chemical irritant toward officers and later grabbed a police baton, attempting to tear it out of the officer’s hands.

Andrew Valentin threw a folding chair at the line of officers, striking one officer’s shield, according to court records.

The brothers were arrested by the FBI on February 11 and 12, 2024, in Pennsylvania.

In the 44 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,504 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 560 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, a felony. The investigation remains ongoing.

Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.

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