The DOJ proposes a 20-year prison term for a Pennsylvania man found guilty of participating in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.

A Pennsylvania barber who was convicted of participating in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot could receive 20 years in prison, according to a recommendation from the Justice Department.

In February 2024, Ryan Samsel was convicted of multiple charges, including attacking federal officers, committing physical violence on the Capitol grounds, and obstructing an official proceeding.

According to court documents, the DOJ recommended a 240-month prison sentence, three years of supervised release, $2,000 restitution, and a fine.

The DOJ wrote in a memorandum that Samsel's 240-month sentence reflects the seriousness of his conduct and serves as sufficient deterrence due to his lack of remorse, repeated false narratives, violent criminal history, and desire to assault the Capitol again.

According to the DOJ, Samsel was the first rioter to breach the restricted perimeter of the Capitol with other supporters of now-President-elect Donald Trump in an attempt to delay the certification of President Biden's 2020 election victory.

He was convicted of mistreating police officers, pushing and pulling on metal barriers, and attacking an officer by lifting a metal barrier and hitting him in the face with it.

The DOJ stated in a document that the police were overwhelmed after "the floodgates opened" and "thousands of rioters poured onto the West Front of the U.S. Capitol grounds."

"The document stated that Samsel spent the next hour and a half terrorizing the police on the West Front. He assaulted the police with his flag, grabbed another officer's shield, tore at scaffolding, flashed officers, grabbed a 2x4 plank and hurled it at the police line, and threw a pole at a different police line."

"Samsel was proud of his actions on that day, taking a selfie video during the riot and announcing with a smile that he had breached the Capitol. He remained proud of his actions years later, justifying them as necessary for civil disorder."