An Ohio pastor, William Dunfee, has been sentenced to two and a half years in prison for his role in inciting the January 6, 2021, mob at the U.S. Capitol using a bullhorn. Following his conviction on multiple charges, including obstruction of an official proceeding and civil disorder, Dunfee will now find himself addressing a significantly more intimate audience during his time behind bars.
Dunfee, 59, was also ordered to pay a $10,000 fine and $2,000 in restitution. The Department of Justice highlighted that his actions contributed to the disruption of a joint session of Congress convened to certify the electoral votes from the 2020 presidential election.
In a video posted in December 2020, Dunfee urged his congregation in Warsaw, Ohio, to prepare for action, suggesting that the government “fears” them. His rhetoric escalated during the Capitol riot, where he was recorded using a bullhorn to declare that the election had been “stolen” and calling for the American people to “rise up.”
Captured on surveillance, Dunfee was seen pushing against a barricade held by U.S. Capitol Police and entering restricted areas of the Capitol grounds. His conviction is part of a larger crackdown, with over 1,500 individuals charged for their roles in the January 6 events.
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As Dunfee transitions to a prison environment, he will have the opportunity to reflect on his actions and deliver messages to a much smaller group than he is accustomed to. His previous calls to large crowds will now take on a new dimension as he navigates his time away from the public eye.
