Zachary Jordan Alam, a Virginia man who played a significant role in the violence during the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, was sentenced to eight years in federal prison this week. U.S. District Judge Dabney L. Friedrich, a Trump appointee, also sentenced Alam to 36 months of supervised release and ordered him to pay $4,484 in restitution. Alam had been convicted of several charges, including assaulting officers, civil disorder, destruction of government property, and trespassing. His actions on that day marked him as one of the most violent and aggressive participants in the Capitol insurrection.
Alam’s participation in the riot was marked by extreme hostility toward law enforcement officers and a determination to incite further violence. He was seen on video smashing windows in the Speaker’s Lobby just before Ashli Babbitt was shot and killed by a U.S. Capitol officer. Alam entered the Capitol through a broken window adjacent to the Senate Wing emergency exit doors at 2:17 p.m., spending around 30 minutes inside the building. Once inside, he attempted to kick in doors, threw a red velvet rope at police officers from a balcony, and joined the mob in pushing through the police lines. He moved through the building with a clear focus on creating chaos, yelling at officers, mocking them, and encouraging others to engage in violent acts.
In the Speaker’s Lobby, Alam’s aggression escalated. He shattered three glass panes of a door while taunting officers, shouting threats, and pushing against them. His actions were a direct challenge to the police presence, with Alam rallying the crowd by yelling that “the problem” was with the House members. During this period, he also called out to fellow rioters, saying, “we need guns, bro … we need guns.” This chilling declaration was seen as an indication of the growing danger and the escalating violence of the riot. Prosecutors characterized Alam as one of the riot’s most violent participants, accusing him of inciting others to act and continually antagonizing law enforcement. They emphasized that his ultimate goal was to reach members of Congress and staffers as they evacuated the House floor in panic.
Following his arrest in January 2021, Alam was found to have planned to flee and cover up his involvement. He had a journal detailing his reflections on the riot and his strategy to escape detection, including plans to set up new bank accounts and use a burner phone to conceal his identity. The authorities discovered these plans during his arrest at a motel in Denver, Pennsylvania, further implicating him in the premeditated nature of his actions.
Alam’s defense attorney, Steven Metcalf, argued for a reduced sentence, claiming that Alam had traveled to the Capitol alone and did not physically harm anyone. Metcalf emphasized that Alam left the building after witnessing Babbitt’s fatal shooting by a Capitol officer. Alam, according to Metcalf, had been alienated and lost, seeking to belong to a group and participate in the insurrection despite his isolation. He described Alam as a “loner” who sought acceptance from those around him, including people with whom he may not have shared values but who appeared to offer the sense of belonging he had lacked in his personal life. Alam’s history was also presented as a factor in his actions, including his struggles in the aftermath of dropping out of medical school, which strained his relationship with his father and led to a period of homelessness.
Despite these mitigating arguments, the government maintained that Alam’s behavior on January 6, particularly his violence toward law enforcement and his role in pushing the mob toward the lawmakers, demonstrated that he was a serious threat to the safety and order of the Capitol. Prosecutors had sought a sentence of 136 months more than 11 years arguing that Alam’s actions went far beyond mere participation in the riot. Instead, he was actively inciting and leading violent behavior that put the lives of officers and lawmakers at risk.
Alam’s sentencing reflects the gravity with which the courts are treating the events of January 6, particularly those individuals who actively engaged in violent and disruptive conduct. The sentence serves as a reminder of the serious consequences of participating in such an insurrection, emphasizing the rule of law and the commitment to holding those responsible for the Capitol breach accountable for their actions.
