Anthony Mastanduno, who assaulted police officers during the Capitol riot, is sentenced to 4½ years in prison.
Anthony Mastanduno, a 61-year-old Capitol rioter known online as “Shield Grampy,” was sentenced to more than 4½ years in prison by U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan on Thursday. Mastanduno had pleaded guilty to nine criminal offenses related to his involvement in the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack, where he assaulted police officers. His sentence comes amid the high-profile case against former President Donald Trump, who is facing federal charges for his role in the Capitol riot. Mastanduno’s sentencing, however, proceeded without the delays that have marked Trump’s legal proceedings.
Mastanduno’s arrest occurred in August, a few weeks after Trump’s own arrest in connection with the Capitol riot, but unlike Trump’s case, Mastanduno’s legal process has moved forward without pauses. After his guilty plea in March, Chutkan ordered Mastanduno into custody, while Trump’s trial, originally set to coincide with Mastanduno’s, has been delayed as the Supreme Court weighs the issue of presidential immunity.
The case of Mastanduno, who had been seen on Capitol grounds with a shield and engaging in violent confrontations with police, contrasts sharply with the legal saga of Trump. While Mastanduno has already faced sentencing, Trump continues to fight legal battles related to the same events. The delay in Trump’s trial has garnered significant public and media attention, as it intertwines with his ongoing presidential campaign.
Mastanduno’s case, though not as widely publicized as Trump’s, serves as a reminder of the significant legal consequences faced by those involved in the Capitol riot. His actions, which contributed to the violent disruption of the certification of the 2020 election, have led to his substantial prison sentence, further emphasizing the gravity of the events of January 6. The legal ramifications for all individuals involved in the insurrection are continuing to unfold, with each case contributing to the broader narrative of accountability and justice following the attack on the Capitol.