Payton John Valdez

Payton John Valdez, 31, of Colorado, traveled to Washington, D.C. with his father, Daniel Jay Valdez, who believed Donald Trump was going to expose a child sex-trafficking ring in politics, and entered the U.S. Capitol with him during the Jan. 6, 2021 riot, where he was photographed holding a cracked riot shield that had been dropped on the floor and drinking a beer. He pleaded guilty to two charges, violent entry and disorderly conduct in a Capitol building or grounds and parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building. He was sentenced on 9/10/2024 to 60 days of incarceration, 3 years of probation, a $20 special assessment, and $500 in restitution.