Texas Man Sentenced for Felony Conviction For Actions During Jan. 6 Capitol Breach

Defendant Was in Crowd That Overwhelmed Officers Trying to Secure the Senate Wing Door

            WASHINGTON – A Texas man was sentenced today for a felony conviction for his actions 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 presidential election.

            Geoffrey Shough, 38, of Austin, Texas, was sentenced to six months in prison for interfering with a law enforcement officer during a civil disorder. Shough pleaded guilty on August 16, 2022. In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Court Judge Dabney L. Friedrich ordered 12 months of supervised release, and restitution of $2,000.

            According to court documents, on Jan. 6, 2021, Shough attended a rally near the Ellipse and then marched with others to the U.S. Capitol. By approximately 1:50 p.m., he was with a crowd of rioters illegally on the West Lawn of the Capitol grounds. He was wearing a jacket over a body armor vest. Shough carried and waved a large Texas flag and cheered as other rioters attacked and then overwhelmed law enforcement officers nearby on the Northwest steps. Shough then moved to a courtyard outside the Senate Wing Door. Shough was among the first individuals in the crowd that overwhelmed officers during the breach of the Senate Wing Door at approximately 2:48 p.m.

            After the rioters overwhelmed the officers, Shough engaged in a very animated conversation with one or more of the officers. During his plea hearing, he acknowledged telling the officers that they “should go home.” He traveled through the Crypt, past the House Wing Door, and through the Hall of Columns before finally exiting the Capitol at approximately 3:03 p.m.

            Shough was arrested on March 1, 2022, in Austin.

            This 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 Western District of Texas.

            The case is being investigated by the FBI San Antonio Central Texas Joint Terrorism Task Force. Valuable assistance was provided by the FBI’s Washington Field Office, which identified Shough as #256 on its seeking information photos, as well as the Metropolitan Police Department, and the U.S. Capitol Police.

            In the 26 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,000 individuals have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 320 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.