A New Jersey electrician named Christopher Joseph Quaglin was sentenced to 12 years in prison for his involvement in the January 6, 2021, siege at the U.S. Capitol. Quaglin was described as a menace to society by the judge, who handed him one of the longest prison sentences among the Capitol riot cases. During the siege, Quaglin attacked police officers, injuring one when he choked and tackled him to the ground. He also assaulted other officers with stolen police shields, metal bike racks, and pepper spray while wearing a MAGA sweatshirt.
Quaglin argued with and insulted the judge during his sentencing, complaining about his jail conditions and pushing conspiracy theories about the insurrection. Prosecutors had urged the judge to sentence him to 14 years in prison, stating that he was one of the most violent rioters on January 6, assaulting multiple police officers. Quaglin was convicted of six separate assaults on police officers and struck or pushed another dozen officers during the siege.
Quaglin’s actions were seen as an attempt to disrupt Congress’ certification of President Joe Biden’s 2020 electoral victory. He joined the mob of Trump supporters who stormed the Capitol after attending the “Stop the Steal” rally near the White House. Quaglin was seen attacking officers near Peace Circle and later joining other rioters in attacking police in a tunnel on the Capitol’s Lower West Terrace. He bragged about his participation in the riot on social media, celebrating the chaos and violence that ensued.
Quaglin was convicted of 14 counts last July after a stipulated bench trial, where the judge decided the case without a jury based on agreed-upon facts. The judge told Quaglin that his actions on January 6 were shocking and lawless, noting that it was not an anomaly for him but something that he allowed to define him. Defense attorney Kristi Fulnecky argued that Quaglin had received inadequate medical treatment while jailed and was coerced by a former attorney into accepting the stipulated bench trial.
Quaglin’s sentencing marks one of the longer prison terms among the Capitol riot defendants, with only seven individuals receiving longer sentences. Nearly 900 defendants have been sentenced in Capitol riot-related cases, with approximately two-thirds of them receiving prison terms ranging from a few days to 22 years. The judge stated that Quaglin’s behavior on January 6 was unacceptable and that he had allowed it to define him. Despite his complaints and conspiracy theories, Quaglin was sentenced to 12 years in prison for his violent actions during the siege.
