During the U.S. Capitol riots on January 6th, a man from Virginia was found guilty of engaging in a clash with officers while donning a tricorn hat and a gas mask.
According to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Micaiah Joseph, 33, was convicted of civil disorder, assaulting officers, trespassing, and disorderly conduct. Meanwhile, his co-defendant, Casey Jane Tryon-Castro, 34, from Virginia, was found guilty of civil disorder, robbery, two counts of assaulting officers, trespassing, and disorderly conduct. The sentencing hearing for both convicts is yet to be scheduled.
According to the Roanoke Times, Tryon-Castro acknowledged her involvement in disorderly conduct. However, her defense attorney raised objections to the felony charges of assault and robbery.
On the day of the “Stop the Steal” rally organized by former President Donald Trump, Tryon-Castro and Joseph were part of the mob of rioters that swarmed the Capitol, causing chaos and disrupting the certification of President Joe Biden’s 2020 electoral victory. According to authorities, the two individuals were involved in violent clashes with law enforcement officers at the entrance to the Capitol’s Lower West Terrace, commonly referred to as the “Tunnel.” This area was the site of some of the most intense confrontations during the riot.
According to court documents, Tryon-Castro made her way to the front of the police line while wearing a knit beanie that read “Washington.”
With a wave of her arm, she beckoned other rioters to join her at the front, exclaiming, “Come on up! Come on in!”
During the chaos of the riot, she actively participated by pushing against the police, providing directions to the rioters, and even snatching a police riot shield from an officer and handing it over to other rioters.
During the chaos, she played a role in assisting one of the rioters in moving away from the front line. She used her voice to call out to other rioters, urging them to allow the individual to move through by saying, “let him out!”
During another moment, she shouted out, “ya’ll, we need to move the shields to the front!” and then proceeded to say, “I’ll push them!” with determination.
Dressed in a tricorn-style hat, body armor, and a gas mask, Joseph made his way to the front of the police line and proceeded towards the Tunnel’s entrance. Before leaving the scene, he handed his gas mask to another rioter, who joined the chaos. Prosecutors revealed that Joseph stood at the entrance of the Tunnel briefly before heading back inside to make another attempt against the police line. Eventually, he exited the building, giving up on his efforts.
On the 17th of January 2023, authorities apprehended Tryon-Castro. The very next day, Joseph was also taken into custody.
According to authorities, over 1,450 individuals have been charged with offenses related to the U.S. Capitol breach in the 41 months since January 6th, 2021.