WASHINGTON (AP) - A Texas man was convicted on Tuesday of storming the U.S. Capitol with a holstered handgun, a milestone victory for federal prosecutors in the first trial among hundreds of cases arising from last year’s riot.
A jury also convicted Guy Wesley Reffitt of obstructing Congress’ joint session to certify the Electoral College vote on Jan. 6, 2021, of interfering with police officers who were guarding the Capitol and of threatening his two teenage children if they reported him to law enforcement after the attack. Jurors convicted him on all counts.
The verdict could be a bellwether for many other Capitol riot cases. It could give Justice Department prosecutors more leverage in plea negotiations and discourage other defendants from gambling on trials of their own.
Gregg Sofer, a former federal prosecutor who served as U.S. attorney for the Western District of Texas from October 2020 to February 2021, said before Reffitt’s trial started that it would be “the canary in the coal mine.”
Reffitt, 49, of Wylie, Texas, didn’t testify at his trial, which started last Wednesday.
Outside court, his wife, Nicole, said the verdict was “against all American people. If you’re going to be convicted on your First Amendment rights, all Americans should be wary. This fight has just begun.”
She said her husband was being used as an example by the government. “You are all in danger,” she said.
During the trial’s closing arguments on Monday, Assistant U.S. Attorney Risa Berkower told jurors that Reffitt drove to Washington, D.C., intending to stop Congress from certifying President Joe Biden’s electoral victory. Reffitt proudly “lit the fire” that allowed others in a mob to overwhelm Capitol police officers near the Senate doors, the prosecutor said.
He will be sentenced June 8. He could receive 20 years in prison on the top charge alone, but he’s likely to face far less time behind bars.
FILE - This artist sketch depicts Guy Wesley Reffitt, joined by his lawyer William Welch, right, in Federal Court, in Washington, on Feb. 28, 2022. Reffitt was convicted on Tuesday, March 8, of storming the U.S. Capitol with a holstered handgun. It's a milestone victory for federal prosecutors in the first trial among hundreds of cases arising from last year's riot. (Dana Verkouteren via AP)
Nicole Reffitt talks to reporters outside of federal court in Washington, Tuesday, March 8, 2022. Her husband is Guy Wesley Reffitt, a Texas man who was convicted on Tuesday of storming the U.S. Capitol with a holstered handgun, interfering with police officers who were guarding the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, and for obstructing justice by threatening his two teenage children if they reported him to law enforcement after the Capitol attack. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
Nicole Reffitt, center, walks out of federal court in Washington, Tuesday, March 8, 2022. Her husband is Guy Wesley Reffitt, a Texas man who was convicted on Tuesday of storming the U.S. Capitol with a holstered handgun, interfering with police officers who were guarding the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, and for obstructing justice by threatening his two teenage children if they reported him to law enforcement after the Capitol attack. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
This artist sketch depicts Guy Wesley Reffitt, bottom right, joined by his lawyer William Welch, third from right, listening as prosecutor Risa Berkower, speaks at the podium at center, as a video depicts a handgun on the waist of Reffitt, at left, for members of the jury and audience in Federal Court, in Washington, Monday, March 7, 2022. Reffitt, a Texas man charged with storming the U.S. Capitol with a holstered handgun on his waist, is the first Jan. 6 defendant to go on trial. Also pictured from left, are prosecutors Tom Ryan, Jeff Nestler, and Amanda Rohde. Man at top right is unidentified, (Dana Verkouteren via AP)
This artist sketch depicts Judge Dabney Friedrich looking out from the bench during jury selection for Guy Wesley Reffitt, joined by his lawyer William Welch, top right, in Federal Court, in Washington, Monday, Feb. 28, 2022. Seated from front left are members of the U.S. prosecution legal team, Tim Ryan, Risa Berkower, Jeff Nestler, and Amanda Rohde. Reffitt, a Texas man charged with storming the U.S. Capitol with a holstered handgun on his waist, is the first Jan. 6 defendant to go on trial. (Dana Verkouteren via AP)
FILE - Violent insurrectionists, loyal to President Donald Trump, storm the Capitol in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021. The first trial for one of the hundreds of Capitol riot prosecutions starts this week, with jury selection scheduled to begin on Monday, Feb. 28, 2022, for the case against Guy Wesley Reffitt. (AP Photo/John Minchillo, File)
This artist sketch depicts Guy Wesley Reffitt, joined by his lawyer William Welch, right, in Federal Court, in Washington, Monday, Feb. 28, 2022. Reffitt, a Texas man charged with storming the U.S. Capitol with a holstered handgun on his waist, is the first Jan. 6 defendant to go on trial. (Dana Verkouteren/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)