A 64-year-old Chesapeake man was sentenced to six months in prison Wednesday for offenses relating to his actions during the riot at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
The FBI arrested Antonio LaMotta on Aug. 16, 2022, initially charging him with four misdemeanors including entering a restricted building, disorderly conduct, and illegally demonstrating in a Capitol building. He was convicted in March 2024 of one felony count of civil disorder and one misdemeanor count each of disorderly conduct in a Capitol building and parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building.
In addition to six months in prison, LaMotta will serve 24 months of supervised release and is ordered to pay $2,000 in restitution.
LaMotta went to D.C. on Jan. 4 and on Jan. 6 attended a rally near the Senate Russell Building before making his way to the east side of the Capitol where rioters had taken control of the area, according to a news release. He and others forced their way into the building through the East Rotunda Doors, which were guarded by Capitol Police.
Once inside, he made it to the Rotunda where he saw police trying to clear the area. There he encouraged other rioters to follow him in by waving towards the Rotunda 19 times, according to prosecutors. Officers forced LaMotta out of the building by about 3:30 p.m. and he stayed on the grounds for about another hour and a half.
LaMotta is one of 1,504 people who have been prosecuted for their role in breaching the Capitol on Jan. 6.
In November 2020, LaMotta and another Chesapeake man were arrested in Philadelphia after driving to a vote-counting site while armed and, according the FBI, intending to “straighten things out.”
The pair were acquitted of interfering with the counting of votes but were convicted of weapons charges.
Gavin Stone, 757-712-4806, gavin.stone@virginiamedia.com
