Jury Unanimously Convicts Richard Barnett on All Eight Counts Related to Capitol Insurrection

A jury in Washington, DC, has found Richard Barnett, 62, guilty on eight counts related to his involvement in the January 6, 2021, insurrection at the US Capitol. Barnett, also known as “Bigo,” was charged with entering and remaining in a restricted area with a deadly or dangerous weapon, obstructing an official proceeding, and other related crimes.

Barnett became one of the most recognizable figures from the riot after a photo of him lounging at a desk in then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s office went viral. He was found guilty of civil disorder and obstruction of an official proceeding, among other charges.

The jury unanimously convicted Barnett on all eight counts in his indictment. He will be sentenced in early May and will remain released on home detention with a GPS ankle monitor until then. Prosecutors had requested to revoke his release, but the judge denied the request.

Barnett faces up to 20 years in prison for the top charge of obstructing an official proceeding. He is the latest of more than 400 people to be charged in connection with the Capitol insurrection.

The Capitol riot was a violent attack on the US government that left five people dead and dozens injured. The trial of Barnett and other rioters is part of the ongoing effort to hold those responsible for the attack accountable.