Joshua Matthew Black

Joshua Matthew Black, of Leeds, Alabama, an evangelical Christian who believed he was directed by God to travel to Washington, was the first rioter to breach a barricade outside the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021 and later entered through the East Rotunda doors while carrying a knife and bleeding from a facial wound. He breached the Senate chamber, rummaged through a desk assigned to Sen. Ted Cruz, posed for photos on the dais, and joined other rioters in a prayer demonstration led by Jacob Chansley, the self-styled "QAnon Shaman," remaining inside for more than 20 minutes. He pleaded not guilty and was convicted at a bench trial of three felonies and two misdemeanors (acquitted of obstructing a congressional proceeding), and was sentenced to 22 months in prison, well under the five years prosecutors sought.