Four men involved in the initial breach of the U.S. Capitol during the January 6, 2021, attack have been handed prison terms by U.S. District Judge Jia Cobb in Washington. The sentences ranged from one year of intermittent confinement to eight years behind bars. Speaking before delivering the punishments, Judge Cobb criticized the spread of misinformation surrounding the riot and condemned attempts to play down the violence that resulted in over 100 police officers being injured.

Stephen Randolph, a certified nursing assistant, received the longest sentence of eight years. James Grant, who was accepted to law school before his arrest, was sentenced to three years, while Jason Blythe, a delivery driver, received a two and a half-year sentence. Paul Johnson, a tree removal business owner, was sentenced to one year of intermittent confinement over weekends followed by two years of home confinement. A fifth individual, Ryan Samsel, awaits sentencing on a yet-to-be-determined date.

The men, who didn't know each other beforehand, were deemed responsible for leading the initial attack on police officers guarding the Capitol during the riot. Prosecutor reports indicate that the defendants were instrumental in using metal bike racks to strike Capitol Police Officer Caroline Edwards in the face, causing her to lose consciousness and sustain a concussion. This breach at the Peace Circle was described as a pivotal moment that allowed thousands of rioters to storm the Capitol. The prosecutors referred to this initial breach as of utmost importance.