Eric Munchel, dubbed ‘zip-tie guy’ for carrying plastic handcuffs during the Capitol riot, receives a lengthy sentence for his role in the insurrection.
On September 8, 2023, Eric Munchel, a Tennessee man infamously known as the “zip-tie guy” for his involvement in the January 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot, was sentenced to 57 months (nearly five years) in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Munchel, 32, was also ordered to pay $2,000 in restitution. He and his mother, Lisa Marie Eisenhart, were captured on social media and news footage wearing tactical gear and carrying plastic zip tie-style handcuffs, which prosecutors said were taken from a Capitol closet during the breach.
Munchel’s mother, Eisenhart, 59, was also sentenced to 30 months in prison for her role in the insurrection. The two had been involved in the violent events of that day, with Munchel pictured carrying the zip ties, raising concerns about potential plans to detain lawmakers during the chaos. Both Munchel and Eisenhart had been facing charges related to their participation in the riot, which sought to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.
Attorneys for both individuals did not respond immediately to requests for comment following the sentencing. The case highlights ongoing legal proceedings related to the January 6 events, with several individuals facing significant consequences for their actions that day. Munchel’s sentence serves as a reminder of the serious legal and criminal repercussions tied to the Capitol insurrection, particularly for those who actively participated in the violence or posed a threat to public safety and government officials.