Michael Steven Perkins

Michael Steven Perkins, of Plant City, Florida, picked up a flagpole during the Jan. 6, 2021 riot and thrust it into the chest of an approaching officer, then raised it overhead and swung it down, striking two officers in the back of the head. He pleaded not guilty to all charges; following a bench trial before U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols, he was found guilty on 3/15/2023 of civil disorder, assaulting officers with a dangerous weapon, and an act of physical violence at the Capitol, among other counts. He was sentenced on 8/17/2023 to 48 months of incarceration, 36 months of supervised release, and a $510 special assessment.