WASHINGTON D.C. – A man from Bristol Borough, Pennsylvania, was found guilty of participating in the violent January 6th insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. Ryan Stephen Samsel, 39, along with his co-defendants, James Tate Grant, Paul Russell Johnson, Stephen Randolph, and Jason Blythe, faced various charges related to their involvement in the events that unfolded on that day.
The conviction came after prosecutors argued that the defendants had traveled to Washington D.C. with the intent of obstructing the certification of the 2020 presidential election. They were accused of causing serious injuries to a U.S. Capitol police officer and were acquitted of several other counts, including entering and remaining in a restricted building with a dangerous weapon.
The defendants’ early breach of Capitol grounds facilitated the subsequent storming of the Capitol by thousands of rioters, leading to “hours of terror, violence, destruction, and injury,” as described by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle Mirabelli.
Samsel’s sentencing, along with his co-defendants, is scheduled for June 13th before U.S. District Judge Jia Cobb. While the judge ordered Samsel to remain in custody until the sentencing, the defense attorney did not wish to comment on the case’s outcome.
Samsel has a history of police encounters in the Levittown area and has been in federal custody since his arrest in Lower Bucks County in January 2021. He has gained attention not only for his alleged crimes but also for his communication with individuals like Proud Boys leader Joe Biggs and Ray Epps, who has pleaded guilty for his role in the events.
Samsel has also been accused of assaulting U.S. Capitol Police Officer Caroline Edwards, who suffered a brain injury and testified about it during the January 6th Select Committee hearing in 2022.
The website known for pushing untrue information, The Gateway Pundit, has shared stories of Samsel’s claims of mistreatment and has published writings that it claims are from Samsel. Additionally, fundraisers for Samsel have raised tens of thousands of dollars.
Samsel is known for his extensive history of violence, largely against women, and for his involvement in the events at the U.S. Capitol. He traveled to Washington D.C. with a woman named Raechel Genco, who was charged and later pleaded guilty. Genco was sentenced to 12 months of probation, 60 hours of community service, and ordered to pay $500 in restitution.
In conclusion, Samsel is set to face sentencing soon, and it remains to be seen how the judge will rule in light of his history and involvement in the Capitol insurrection.