A man from Muskogee has been sentenced to nine months in prison for his role in the January 6th, 2021 Capitol breach.
Jerry Ryals was also sentenced to 3 years of supervised release and was ordered to pay $2,000 in restitution, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Washington, D.C.
Court records show Ryals and two others drove to a hotel in Virginia on January 5th, then attended the “Stop the Steal” rally in Washington D.C. on the 6th.
The documents say Ryals entered the Capitol three times that day, staying inside for about 30 minutes after having been removed by United States Capitol Police twice. Records show Ryals took multiple photos and videos while inside and outside of the Capitol, which helped the FBI identify him. Witnesses also told the FBI they were at the Capitol with Ryals.
Ryals was arrested in Muskogee on March 4, 2021.
Ryals was initially charged with: Obstruction of an Official Proceeding; 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.
As part of a plea agreement, Ryals pleaded guilty to Civil Disorder in May 2022.
A case involving co-defendant Anthony Griffith, one of the men who went with Ryals, is still pending.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, at least six other Oklahomans have been charged with crimes related to the Capitol breach.