Eastern PA Man Sentenced In Capitol Riot After Social Media Posts

CHURCHVILLE, PA — A Churchville man has been sentenced for his involvement in the Jan. 6 Capitol riots after his wife's social media posts alerted authorities.

Gary Edwards, 68, was a part of the large group that made its way into the Capitol building during the riots. Inside, authorities said he took pictures, assisted protesters who had been tear gassed, and entered an office of an unidentified Congressional official.

In a since deleted Facebook post, Edwards' wife defended his participation in the event.

"These were people who watched their rights being taken away, their votes stolen from them, their state officials violating the constitutions of their country and people who are not being given the opportunity to be able to have evidence shown," the post reads, in part.

Edwards, after his trial took place in a Washington, D.C. federal courtroom, was sentenced to one year of probation, along with a fine of $2,500 and to pay a restitution of $500 to help pay for the nearly $1.5 million in damages caused by rioters that day. He was sentenced by U.S. District Judge James E. Boasberg .

According to video footage and testimonies, Edwards, seen in a 'Make America Great Again' ski cap, took a bus with his ministry from Newtown to the National Mall on the day of the riots. When the crowd began walking toward the Capitol building, he followed them, saying it was out of curiosity as to what was happening.

There is no evidence Edwards caused any significant damage to government property during the national incident.

During his trial, the judge brought up that Edwards was remorseful of his involvement, and that his regular volunteering at pantries and in his ministry show his character.

Much of the evidence, and what alerted authorities to the scope of Edwards' involvement, came from the now-deleted Facebook post from his wife, who was defending his actions. An anonymous Facebook friend got a screenshot and sent it to authorities.

Further evidence came from Instagram posts showing photos of the event and capturing Edwards inside the Capitol.

Edwards is one of the now over 700 people arrested for their involvement in the national incident, and among 63 Pennsylvanians.