Evergreen Reporter

A Montana man, Henry Phillip "Hank" Muntzer, has been sentenced to 24 months in prison for his involvement in the January 6, 2021 breach of the U.S. Capitol. The sentencing took place on October 10, 2024, following his conviction on felony and misdemeanor charges related to the incident.

Muntzer, a resident of Dillon, Montana, was also given 12 months of supervised release and ordered to pay $2,000 in restitution by U.S. District Judge Jia M. Cobb. He was found guilty of civil disorder and four misdemeanors: entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds; disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds; disorderly conduct in a Capitol building; and parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building.

Initially convicted of obstruction of an official proceeding as well as civil disorder—both felonies—the charge for obstruction was dismissed after the Supreme Court's decision in Fischer v. United States. Consequently, Judge Cobb sentenced Muntzer on one felony count of civil disorder along with the misdemeanors.

Evidence presented during the trial showed that Muntzer traveled from Montana to Washington D.C., attending the "Stop the Steal" rally at the Ellipse before joining others at the Capitol grounds. He recorded videos while inside stating he had passed "through all the tear gas" to "tak[e] the Capitol by storm." His actions included pushing against law enforcement officers near the Senate Chamber.

Muntzer was arrested by FBI agents on January 18, 2021. The case was prosecuted by both the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section with assistance from other offices including that from Montana.

The investigation into events surrounding January 6 continues with over 1,532 individuals charged across nearly all states for crimes related to this breach.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact authorities via phone or online tip submissions.