Man insults judge who sentenced him to 12 years in prison for attacking police during Capitol riot

In this image from U.S. Capitol Police video released and commented on by the Justice Department in the sentencing memo, Christopher Quaglin is seen on police body-worn camera footage at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. Quaglin, a New Jersey electrician who repeatedly attacked police officers during the siege of the U.S. Capitol, was sentenced to 12 years in prison. (Justice Department via AP)

WASHINGTON (AP) — A New Jersey electrician who repeatedly attacked police officers during the siege of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, was sentenced to 12 years in prison Friday by a judge who called him “a threat to our society.”

Christopher Joseph Quaglin argued with and insulted U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden before and after the judge handed him one of the longest prison sentences in hundreds of cases related to the Capitol riots.

“You are Trump’s worst mistake of 2016,” Quaglin told McFadden, who was nominated to the court by then-President Donald Trump in 2017.

Quaglin, 38, joined the mob of Trump supporters that stormed the Capitol, injuring a police officer when he choked him and pulled him to the ground. Quaglin attacked other officers with stolen police shields, metal bike racks and pepper spray while clashing with police for about three hours.

“What a scandal. What a disgrace,” said the judge.

Quaglin complained about his prison conditions and spread conspiracy theories about the January 6 siege during his rambling courtroom remarks. He also objected to calling the January 6 attack an insurrection.

“If I wanted to start a rebellion, I would have brought a long rifle,” he said.

The judge interrupted him after several minutes and told Quaglin before the verdict that his combative comments had been a “really bad idea.”

“It’s a sham court,” Quaglin replied.

Prosecutors asked the judge to sentence Quaglin to 14 years in prison, saying he was one of the most violent rioters on Jan. 6, when a mob of Donald Trump supporters disrupted the joint session of Congress that was set to certify President Joe Biden’s 2020 election victory.

The judge convicted Quaglin of six separate assaults on police officers. Prosecutors say he punched or shoved another dozen officers.

“Quaglin was aware of the constitutional significance of January 6 and intended to disrupt Congress’ certification of the 2020 election by any means necessary, including by brutally attacking police officers for hours,” prosecutors wrote.

About 1,400 people have been charged with federal crimes related to the Capitol riot. Nearly 900 of them have been convicted, with about two-thirds receiving sentences ranging from a few days to 22 years in prison. Only seven defendants in connection with the Capitol riot received a longer sentence than Quaglin, according to an Associated Press review of court records.

McFadden found Quaglin guilty on 14 counts last July under a “single judge fixed procedure,” meaning the judge decided the case without a jury and based on facts agreed to by both sides before the trial. In such procedures, defendants have the right to appeal that a guilty plea denies them.

Quaglin traveled from his home in North Brunswick, New Jersey, to attend then-President Donald Trump’s “Stop the Steal” rally near the White House on Jan. 6. Quaglin left the rally early and recorded video of himself marching toward the Capitol wearing a helmet, gas mask and backpack.

After storming the barricades near Peace Circle, Quaglin repeatedly attacked police officers who tried to stop the mob. Capitol Police Sergeant Troy Robinson was injured when Quaglin grabbed him by the neck and threw him to the ground.

“Quaglin’s attack sparked a brief scuffle,” prosecutors wrote. “Quaglin lay on top of Sergeant Robinson, other rioters came to Quaglin’s aid, and chaos broke out.”

Quaglin “led a relentless siege” when he joined other rioters attacking police in a tunnel on the Capitol’s Lower West Terrace, prosecutors said. He helped another rioter steal a shield from a police officer. He sprayed several officers in the face with pepper spray. And he joined in the mob’s collective “Heave Ho” charge against a police line.

“Quaglin was involved in some of the most gruesome attacks in the tunnel, working with other rioters to ensure that officers were continually attacked,” prosecutors wrote.

Quaglin celebrated and later boasted about his participation in the riots.

“It was a blast. I got bumps and bruises. And we’re having a blast,” he said in a video posted on social media.

Defense attorney Kristi Fulnecky claims Quaglin received inadequate medical care during his three years in prison. Fulnecky also said one of Quaglin’s former attorneys coerced him into agreeing to a prearranged trial in a single judge setting rather than a contested trial.

McFadden told Quaglin that his conduct on January 6 was “shocking and lawless.”

“January 6 is not simply an anomaly for you,” the judge said. “You have allowed it to define you.”