A military veteran received a seven-year prison sentence for his involvement in the January 6th Capitol breach. This is among the lengthiest sentences handed down in the hundreds of cases stemming from the riot.
35-year-old Christopher Michael Alberts, from Pylesville, Maryland, was equipped with a loaded pistol, body armor, and a gas mask during the events. While he wasn't accused of brandishing his concealed weapon, prosecutors stated he used a wooden pallet to force his way against officers guarding a stairwell.
Alberts maintained he was trying to protect others from tear gas and other crowd control measures deployed by police. He claimed his intention was to de-escalate the situation, not to cause harm.
However, Judge Christopher Cooper identified Alberts as one of the mob's leaders that day, emphasizing his active participation rather than simply being a bystander. Alberts, a former member of the Virginia National Guard, was on Capitol grounds for six hours. He carried a 9mm pistol loaded with hollow-point and high-pressure rounds, along with an additional magazine.
Prosecutors highlighted Alberts as the first rioter to reach the northwest steps and engage physically with a Capitol Police officer at that location. They described him as having incited the mob with his gear and aggressive behavior.
In addition to the prison term, Alberts received three years of supervised release. While prosecutors requested immediate detainment, the judge permitted him to remain free until his prison reporting date is set.
Prosecutors had initially sought a 10-year sentence for Alberts, who served in the Virginia National Guard from 2005 to 2011, including a deployment to Iraq. A jury in Washington, D.C. found him guilty on all nine counts, which included a felony charge of assaulting, resisting, or impeding police.
Officer Stephen Sherman testified about feeling vulnerable when Alberts rammed him with the pallet while another rioter attempted to pull him down the stairs. Sherman directly addressed Alberts, accusing him of instigating violence.
Alberts expressed remorse, stating he would have avoided the situation had he foreseen the day's events. His defense attorney argued that carrying a gun was common practice for Alberts due to his work as a tow truck driver.
However, the prosecution contended that Alberts' choice of ammunition indicated an intent to maximize potential lethality. Alberts attended Trump's "Stop the Steal" rally but left early and proceeded to the Capitol, reportedly shouting about taking over the building. He also carried other tactical gear, including a two-way radio, earpiece, throat mic, bungee cords, binoculars, a ski mask, and two knives.
Despite police efforts to deter rioters with pepper spray and pepper balls, Alberts' protective gear allowed him to advance. He later urinated on a Capitol wall and engaged in further confrontations with officers, throwing a bottle and using a bullhorn. His loaded firearm was discovered and seized upon his arrest.
Over 1,000 individuals face federal charges related to the January 6th attack, with around 100 convicted after trials and over 600 pleading guilty. More than half of the 570 sentenced defendants have received prison time, with Alberts' sentence being among the longest.
