Minnesota Man Sentenced to Prison on Felony Charge for Actions During Jan. 6 Capitol Breach

          WASHINGTON— A Minnesota man was sentenced to prison after he previously pleaded guilty to a felony charge to his conduct during the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol. His actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election.

          Paul Orta Jr., 34, of Blue Earth, Minnesota, was sentenced to six months in prison, 12 months of supervised release, and ordered to pay $2,000 in restitution and fines by U.S. District Judge Dabney L. Friedrich. Orta pleaded guilty to a felony charge of obstruction of law enforcement during a civil disorder on May 14, 2024.

          According to court documents, Orta traveled from Minnesota to Washington, D.C., to attend the “Stop the Steal” rally on Jan. 6, 2021, at the National Mall. At approximately 12:53 p.m., Orta was on the west side of the Capitol along First Street. Around this time, a crowd of rioters, with Orta at the front, began to overwhelm officers at the Peace Memorial entrance and began to move onto Capitol grounds.

          United States Capitol Police (USCP) officers retreated from this area and attempted to set up a new police line, but some in the crowd, including Orta, pressed forward. As Orta advanced toward the Capitol and the retreating officers, he yelled, “We’re taking that s— today!” Minutes later, Orta forcefully moved at least two temporary bike racks that were being used by law enforcement to control the crowd and threw them over a concrete wall.

          Orta then continued forward with the crowd as they overwhelmed officers again and entered the West Plaza. By approximately 1:22 p.m., law enforcement officers began to push the crowd back away from the Capitol, and Orta lobbed a dark-colored object over the heads of rioters and towards a crowd of law enforcement officers.

          At about 2:07 p.m., law enforcement officers again attempted to form a police line with the metal bike rack barricades to prevent those in the crowd from further advancing. Court documents say that at this time, Orta pushed a bike rack barricade against the police line and made physical contact with law enforcement officers during this push. He then pushed against another rioter, pushing against the bike rack barricade.

          The crowd eventually broke through the police line and advanced to the Lower and Upper West Terraces. As the crowd pushed forward, Orta climbed on top of a concrete wall and raised a fist in the air.

          The FBI arrested Orta on Nov. 14, 2023, in Minnesota.

          The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section prosecuted this case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota provided valuable assistance.

          This case was investigated by the FBI’s Minneapolis and Washington Field Offices, which identified Orta as BOLO (Be on the Lookout) #148 on its seeking information photos. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.

          In the 45 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,532 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 571 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, a felony. The investigation remains ongoing.

          Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.