Texas Man Sentenced to Prison For Actions During Capitol Breach

Defendant Engaged in Multiple Physical Confrontations with Police

            WASHINGTON – A Texas man was sentenced today to prison for assaulting a law enforcement officer during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. His actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election.

            Garret Miller, 36, of Richardson, Texas, was sentenced in the District of Columbia to 38 months in prison on charges of assaulting a police officer, interstate threat to injure or kidnap, three counts of interfering with law enforcement during a civil disorder, entering or remaining in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly or disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, impeding ingress and egress in a restricted building or grounds, engaging in disorderly conduct in a capitol building, impeding passage through the Capitol grounds or buildings, and demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building. Miller pleaded guilty to those charges in December of 2022.

            In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Court Judge Carl J. Nichols ordered 36 months of supervised release.

            According to court documents, on Jan. 6, 2021, Miller traveled to Washington, D.C. to stop Congress’ certification of the 2020 presidential election. He brought with him rope, a grappling hook, a mouth guard, and a bump cap – tools that he referred to as “riot gear” – and stated that he “looked forward” to fighting what he called the “soft” people that he might encounter in Washington, D.C. Miller was obsessed with the results of the 2020 presidential election and his belief that it had been stolen. Using social media, he had posted threats to multiple people, including Senator Charles Schumer, Mark Zuckerburg, and Jack Dorsey.

            During the breach of the U.S. Capitol Building, Miller was at the forefront of every barrier overturned, police line overrun, and entryway breached within his proximity that day. He was so disruptive on the East Front of the building that he was twice detained, the second time resulting in him being put in handcuffs. After being released and vowing to leave, Miller instead stayed at the riot, initially recording himself talking about a revolution.

            Miller then forced his way past the United States Capitol Police (“USCP”) and entered the Rotunda, making it to the old Senate Chamber before being turned back to the Rotunda. As the line of USCP and Metropolitan Police Officers (“MPD”) attempted to remove the rioters, Miller stayed on the front lines, assaulted an MPD Sergeant, and engaged in a physical altercation with no fewer than six officers. Following his ejection from the building, Miller then made his way to the West Front, where he watched the violent encounter at the Lower West Terrace tunnel until finally leaving the Capitol grounds after 5:00 p.m.

            At 7:26 p.m., in response to Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez’s social media post to “Impeach,” Miller directly responded: “Assassinate AOC.” Following the riot and up until his arrest, Miller continued to discuss his desire to “start assassinating,” bragged to his friends about how he “terrified [c]ongress,” and openly discussed his desire to publicly identify the officer who shot Ashli Babbitt and “hug his neck with a nice rope.” Miller was so proud of his conduct, that when he was arrested on January 20, 2021, he was found wearing a shirt with an image of the former president and the words “I was there, Washington, D.C., January 6, 2021.”

            The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas.

            The case was investigated by the FBI’s Dallas and Washington Field Offices. Valuable assistance was provided by the Metropolitan Police Department U.S. Capitol Police.

            In the 25 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 985 individuals have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including approximately 319 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement. The investigation remains ongoing. 

            Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.