Record at a Glance
- Category
- Jan 6th
- Age in NPR record
- 59
- Location
- Aurora, Colorado
- Charges
- Violent Entry and Disorderly Conduct in a Capitol Building or Grounds; Parading, Demonstrating, or Picketing in a Capitol Building
- Case status
- Pleaded guilty; Sentenced
- Presidential action
- Pardon
Case Summary
At 2:24 pm on Jan. 6, 2021, Daniel Valdez and his son, Payton Valdez, were among the first to climb through a broken window near the Senate Wing Door to enter the U.S. Capitol, according to court documents. The father and son spent nine minutes inside before exiting through the same broken window. Federal investigators claim that the Valdezes traveled to Washington because "Daniel believed President Trump was going to tell everything about who in politics was sex trafficking children." According to sentencing memos filed in court, Valdez served in the U.S. Marine Corps.
Case History
Valdez pleaded Guilty to both charges. Sentenced on 6/18/2024 to 36 months of probation; Restitution of $500; $20 special assessment; 50 hours of community service. Valdez received a full pardon on January 20, 2025
Sources
- Primary Documentation
NPR Jan. 6 Defendant DatabaseNPR - Primary Documentation
Underlying court recordCourt record linked by NPR
Case summary, charges, procedural updates and image are drawn from the NPR Jan. 6 archive snapshot dated 2026-09-25 unless otherwise indicated.