A Connecticut man who climbed onto the backs of rioters and used a pole to strike at police officers defending the U.S. Capitol during the January 6 riots has been sentenced to 30 months in prison. Richard Markey, 38, pleaded guilty in August to a felony charge of assaulting officers with a dangerous weapon. He was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Amit P. Mehta on Friday.
On January 6, Markey participated in the violent attack at the Lower West Terrace Tunnel, one of the sites where law enforcement officers faced some of the most intense assaults. During the riot, Markey climbed over other rioters to reach the front lines, where he engaged in violent acts against the police defending the Capitol. He first used a baton to assault officers, and later resorted to his fists. In one instance, Markey forcefully grabbed and pulled on a police shield held by two officers. As he balanced himself on the mob of rioters, he grabbed the shield again and began kicking it violently.
When one officer attempted to push him away using a pole, Markey grabbed the pole and aimed it at the officer. He screamed, calling the officer an “Oathbreaker” and accusing him of failing to do his job. Markey then used the pole to strike the officer’s shield, eventually breaking it after several blows. Undeterred, he discarded the broken pole and continued his assault by pushing and striking the shield with his hands.
Markey was arrested in July 2023. Prosecutors, in their sentencing memo, asked for a 54-month prison term, describing Markey’s actions as particularly violent and highlighting his significant role in the riot. They noted that Markey’s conduct was part of a broader effort to disrupt the certification of the 2020 presidential election and undermine the peaceful transition of power. His actions, they argued, were part of an attempt to throw the country into a constitutional crisis. Despite the violence of the day, prosecutors argued that Markey’s actions were even more egregious than those of his co-defendant, who also participated in the assault.
The memo detailed Markey’s repeated efforts to attack officers with a baton, continuing to strike at them with a pole even after the baton was taken away. He showed little regard for the police officers’ safety, using any available means to assault them, including pulling on their shields and kicking them. The memo further emphasized that even after breaking the pole, Markey continued to scream at the officers, accusing them of betraying their oaths to the country.
In contrast, Markey’s defense attorney, Jerry Ray Smith, argued for a lesser sentence, requesting 20 months in prison. Smith emphasized that no officer had been injured as a result of Markey’s actions. The defense highlighted letters from family and friends that painted Markey as a devoted family man and a model community member. His attorney also argued that while Markey’s conduct was inexcusable, he did not make direct contact with any officers and only struck their shields, which could justify a shorter sentence compared to a defendant who directly attacked officers.
Despite this, the judge sided with the prosecution’s recommendation, citing the severity of Markey’s actions during the Capitol riot. Markey’s violent conduct and disregard for law enforcement in an attempt to disrupt the functioning of democracy led to his sentence, which serves as a reflection of the seriousness of the January 6 attacks and the importance of holding those responsible accountable for their actions.
