Vincent J. Gillespie

Vincent J. Gillespie, of Athol, Massachusetts, son of a renowned painter, was among rioters at the Lower West Terrace of the U.S. Capitol from about 4:11 to 4:26 p.m. during the Jan. 6, 2021 riot who pushed, shoved, and fought with officers; he gained control of a police shield and used it to ram officers, then grabbed a Metropolitan Police Department sergeant by the arm with both hands and yanked him toward the mob while screaming "traitor" and "treason." He pleaded not guilty and a jury convicted him on Dec. 23, 2022 of assaulting officers, civil disorder, engaging in physical violence in a restricted building, and disorderly conduct. U.S. District Judge Beryl A. Howell sentenced him on 4/14/2023 to 68 months in prison, 36 months of supervised release, a $25,000 fine, and $2,000 in restitution.