Trump Pardons Multiple Western PA U.S. Capitol Rioters

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Donald Trump began his second term as president Monday by undoing the prosecutions, convictions and sentences of the 1,500-plus people charged in the Jan. 6, 2021 U.S. Capitol riot.

Trump issued pardons, commuted sentences and ordered the U.S. Justice Department to dismiss all cases related to the riot that injured more than 100 police officers in the attack, an unprecedented moment in American history.

Trump has referred to those serving prison sentences for their roles on the violent day as "patriots" and "hostages."

Trump's order impacts five people with Western Pennsylvania ties who are in federal prison after being convicted or pleading guilty to violent offenses on Jan. 6. They are:

• Rachel Marie Powell, of Sandy Lake, Mercer County: Known as the "Pink Hat Lady," Powell was serving a 57-month sentence after being convicted on nine felony charges. Powell was seen in videos and photographs from that day of the riot using a bullhorn to instruct others how to further gain control of the Capitol. She also admitted to breaking a window at the Capitol.

• Peter Schwartz of Uniontown, Fayette County: Was serving a 14-year sentence after being convicted of charges that included assaulting, resisting or impeding law enforcement officers using a dangerous weapon. Schwartz attacked police with pepper spray and threw a folding chair at officers.

• Shelly Stalling of Uniontown, Fayette County: Schwartz's wife, Stalling was sentenced to two years in federal prison and three years of supervised release for using pepper spray on officers. She pleaded guilty to assaulting or resisting an officer using a dangerous weapon, civil disorder and remaining in a restricted area with a dangerous weapon.

• Robert Morss, a former Shaler Area School District substitute teacher: Was serving a 66-month sentence after being convicted of assaulting, resisting or impeding officers with a dangerous weapon, obstruction of an official proceeding and robbery.

• Jorden Mink of Oakdale: Was sentenced to 51 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to the charge of assaulting, impeding certain officers using a dangerous weapon, theft of government property and aiding and abetting.