‘Time to do patriot s***’: Florida man one of two convicted for Jan. 6 Capitol breach
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A Port Charlotte man was found guilty of multiple felony and misdemeanor charges related to the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol, the U.S. Department of Justice announced Tuesday.
John Joseph Richter, 39, was convicted of felony obstruction of an official proceeding and misdemeanor offenses of entering and remaining in a restricted building, entering and remaining on the floor of Congress, disorderly conduct in a Capitol building, and parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building.
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U.S. District Court Judge Randolph Moss, who presided over the bench trial for Richter and Joseph Irwin, 43, of Cecilia, Kentucky, will sentence the two men on Aug. 9.
Irwin was convicted of three felonies, including obstruction of an official proceeding, entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon, and disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon. He was also convicted of misdemeanor offenses of entering and remaining on the floor of Congress, disorderly conduct in a Capitol building, and parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building.
Court documents show the two men planned a trip to Washington, D.C., to obstruct the certification of the Electoral College vote in the 2020 presidential election.
Text messages between Richter and Irwin included a photo about the Electoral College certification process and the role played by former Vice President Mike Pence.
Irwin’s message to Richter reportedly read, “Are we go[ing] open militia or innocent/ready bystander.” Richter responded, “Well I think we are gonna be in a huge crowd mostly. So we will have to be opportunists most likely. Gnome sayin? I like the ready bystander wildcard approach myself.”
When discussing what material to bring, Richter explained he would bring a metal pointed flagpole and an all-black American flag, saying, “All black flag means no quarter will be given. It’s time to do patriot s—.” Irwin also discussed bringing a wooden pole that he inscribed with a black American flag; he said that his “wooden stick is heavy as f—.”
The two men attended the “Stop the Steal” rally on the National Mall in D.C., where former President Donald Trump spoke, and then marched on the U.S. Capitol building carrying the flagpoles and black flags mentioned in the texts.
At the Capitol building, the pair ascended the Upper West Terrace and, while wielding the flagpoles, Irwin reportedly told police officers on site to “go home” before smashing his wooden pole on the ground in a threatening manner.
Irwin and Richter then made their way to the Senate Wing Door and screamed “Let us in” repeatedly.
After the Parliamentarian’s Door was breached, the pair entered the Capitol Building while banging their poles on the ground. The men joined a mob of rioters and entered the Senate Floor moments after Pence and members of Congress evacuated.
Once on the Senate Floor, Irwin banged his flagpole on the ground and yelled “This is ours right here! This is our house! This is what the court do when the court take it! Don’t give it back to them now!”
The two men took photos while sitting at Senators’ desks before leaving the Senate Chamber.
Court documents say Irwin framed his broken wooden pole, calling it a “relic.”
Irwin was arrested on Aug. 17, 2021, and Richter was arrested on March 2, 2023, by the FBI.
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