Minnesota Man Given 4 Months In Jail For Role In Capitol Riot

WASHINGTON DC —A 30-year-old Minnesota man was sentenced in federal court Wednesday to four months in jail after previously pleading guilty to participating in the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia announced.

Daniel Johnson, a native of Austin, located in Mower County, was sentenced alongside his father, St. Ansgar, Iowa-native Daryl Johnson, 51. On Jan. 4, 2022, both men pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of civil disorder, according to court documents.

On Wednesday, Daniel Johnson was sentenced to four months in jail, followed by one year of supervised release, and he was ordered to pay $2,000 in restitution.

The elder Johnson was sentenced to 30 days in jail, followed by one year of supervised release. He was forced to pay a $2,000 fine and $2,000 in restitution.

The Johnsons both faced up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, authorities said.

According to court documents, at approximately 2:20 p.m. on Jan. 6, the Johnsons unlawfully entered the Capitol building by climbing through a broken window next to the Senate Wing Door.

The father and son then remained in the building for approximately 26 minutes, eventually making their way to the East Rotunda doors, according to authorities.

At the doors, the Johnsons encountered a line of law enforcement officers who were attempting to prevent rioters from entering the building.

Court documents said the Johnsons were part of a group that rushed the line of officers and helped to push open the East Rotunda doors, which enabled rioters to enter.

According to authorities, both Daniel Johnson and Daryl Johnson offered details about their participation in the riot on social media.

On Jan. 6, Daniel Johnson messaged a friend on Snapchat that he was "one of the first inside," according to court documents.

Meanwhile, on Jan. 7, authorities said that Daryl Johnson wrote on Facebook:

"if (we) can get 50+ year old men and women upset enough to spend thousands of $ to come to a rally what happens when those same people decide to throw out the 'elected officials.' It will be hangings on the front lawn of the capitol…"

According to court documents, Daniel Johnson was arrested on June 11, 2021 in Austin, Minnesota, while Daryl Johnson was arrested the same day in St. Ansgar, Iowa.