A Star Valley man was convicted Wednesday, July 31 on charges related to the January 6, 2021 U.S. Capitol Building protest.

Douglas Harrington, 69, of Bedford was found guilty by U.S. District Chief Judge James E. Boasberg on two felony offenses of civil disorder and assaulting, resisting or impeding certain officers. Harrington was also found guilty of five misdemeanor charges, including entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, engaging in physical violence in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly conduct in a Capitol building, and an act of physical violence in the Capitol grounds or buildings.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office of the District of Columbia announced the conviction after a three-day bench trial. During the protest, Harrington had reportedly assaulted law enforcement with a flagpole. He is now scheduled to be sentenced on November 5 where he could receive up to six years in federal prison and $110,000 in fines just on the two felonies alone.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s office, during the protest Harrington approached a line of police officers on the Upper West Terrace of the Capitol and challenged them with “provocative gestures.” He then used the bottom portion of his flagpole to swiftly strike in the direction of an officer on the line. In response, an officer deployed chemical spray at Harrington.

While this was going on, another protester approached a police line near Harrington, and police officers concentrated their efforts on them to push the other person away. While the officers were distracted, Harrington raised his flagpole to strike at them. A police officer quickly intervened, moved toward Harrington, and extended a police baton. Harrington swung the flagpole at the officer, striking the officer near the left hand and wrist and on the helmet. He continued to swing the flagpole at the police line two more times before retreating into the crowd.

The U.S Attorney’s Office continues by saying that after the flagpole incident, Harrington and other rioters lifted a large, flat, opaque piece of material in front of the police line and walked with it held up in front of the officers, thereby blocking the officers’ view and ability to defend against the crowd. When officers pushed the crowd back, Harrington grabbed for an officer’s baton and tried to shove the officer by pushing on his riot shield.

As additional officers moved in, Harrington continued to resist, forcibly pressing his back into them. Police eventually removed Harrington from the Capitol grounds less than 15 minutes before a Washington, D.C., curfew order went into effect.

He was later arrested in August of 2023 following an FBI investigation into the incident. Harrington has maintained his innocence, saying on social media that his actions were a peaceful protest.  In a May court filing, Harrington’s attorneys argued that the charges brought against their client were too vague, broad and subjective, and that the certification of votes was not an official proceeding of Congress.

Former President Trump has indicated multiple times that he plans to pardon those convicted for their participation in the protest if he is elected president again in November.