Brian E. Stenz

Brian E. Stenz, of East Norriton, Pennsylvania, attended the Jan. 6, 2021 "Stop the Steal" rally with a friend, then entered the U.S. Capitol through the Senate Wing door during the riot and walked around for about eight minutes, taking photos of himself and the crowd inside Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley's office and a selfie in the Capitol Crypt; he was identified after sending a photo of himself inside the building to a friend, who shared it with someone else who tipped off law enforcement. When questioned, Stenz falsely told authorities he had visited "a place that appeared to be a gift shop." He pleaded guilty to one charge, parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building, with other charges dismissed. Citing his five prior criminal convictions, Judge Beryl Howell sentenced him on 2/17/2022 to 14 days of incarceration, 36 months of probation including 14 days of intermittent confinement and two months of home detention, a $2,500 fine, $500 in restitution, and a $10 special assessment.