NC man found guilty of felony charges from Jan. 6 US Capitol breach

A North Carolina man was found guilty Wednesday of felony and misdemeanor charges related to his conduct during the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol.

Christopher Raphael Spencer, 43, of Pilot Mountain, was convicted of obstruction of an official proceeding, a felony, and misdemeanor offenses of entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly conduct in a Capitol building, and parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building.

Spencer will receive his sentencing at a later date, according to the FBI.

According to the government’s stipulated evidence, Spencer and his wife, Virginia Marie “Jenny” Spencer, traveled from Pilot Mountain, North Carolina, to Washington, D.C., to see the former President Donald Trump on Jan. 6, 2021. At some time during the day, the couple walked to the U.S. Capitol building and into the restricted perimeter of the Capitol grounds, bypassing bike rack barricades.

The FBI said the couple made their way into a crowd of rioters gathered near the inauguration stage on the west side of the Capitol building. The two watched as rioters attacked police and climbed the walls of the Capitol and the inauguration stage scaffolding. The couple then ascended the stairs underneath the scaffolding to the Northwest Terrace near the Senate Wing of the Capitol.

The FBI said the couple then made their way to the House Chamber and Christopher recorded a video, in which he yelled obscenities to kick open a door. He also cursed at U.S. Capitol police officers as they were involved in an altercation with another rioter, according to the FBI.

According to the FBI, the couple spent about 30 minutes inside the Capitol. The FBI arrested the couple on Feb. 8, 2021, in North Carolina.

Virginia Marie “Jenny” Spencer was previously sentenced to 90 days incarceration for her role in the matter.

Since the Jan. 6, 2021, beach of the U.S. Capitol, the FBI said more than 1,313 people have been charged in nearly all 50 states.