A New Jersey man, a staunch supporter of former President Donald J. Trump, faced the consequences of his actions on Friday when he was sentenced to 12 years in prison for his role in the violent January 6th Capitol riot. Christopher Joseph Quaglin, an electrician from North Brunswick, N.J., was convicted of over a dozen crimes after engaging in violent acts against police officers.
On January 6, 2021, Quaglin, outfitted with a helmet equipped with a camera, participated in the storming of the Capitol. Surveillance footage captured him assaulting police officers with a stolen riot shield and spraying them with a chemical irritant, according to prosecutors. Later that night, back in his Washington, D.C. hotel room, Quaglin recorded videos bragging about his involvement.
“I was the guy in the red, white and blue hoodie and the black helmet,” he boasted. “I’m absolutely on a loop on Fox News.” In another bizarre moment, he narrated his actions from the day while cooking a steak in the hotel room shower.
Convicted in July of 14 charges, including 12 felonies, Quaglin was sentenced by Judge Trevor N. McFadden. Quaglin’s lawyer, Carlos Diaz-Cobo, expressed hope that his client would reflect on the events of January 6 and accept responsibility.
In the three years since Trump supporters stormed the Capitol in an attempt to disrupt the certification of Electoral College votes, more than 1,400 individuals have faced criminal charges. Of these, about 500 have been charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement. Former President Trump himself faces federal charges for efforts to overturn the 2020 election results, to which he has pleaded not guilty.
Quaglin, a self-described “Trump Super Fan,” played a significant role in the initial breach of the police line and barricades, paving the way for other rioters to flood into the Capitol’s West Front area. He was seen in footage engaging in violent acts against police for over an hour, including tackling officers and grabbing one by the neck.
Law enforcement identified Quaglin after an anonymous source provided Facebook live videos showing him approaching the Capitol and describing his actions. In December 2020, Quaglin’s Facebook post invited others to join him in Washington, saying, “I have an extra double twin bed available,” and mentioning he would bring “gas masks, body armor and other things.”
During his sentencing, Quaglin insulted Judge McFadden, calling him “Trump’s worst mistake,” and contested the labeling of the Capitol riot as an insurrection, stating, “If I wanted to bring an insurrection, I would have brought a long gun.”
Quaglin’s case underscores the harsh reality facing many Trump supporters who participated in the January 6th riot, as they now face severe legal consequences for their actions.
