Record at a Glance
- Category
- Jan 6th
- Age in NPR record
- 55
- Location
- Chelsea, Oklahoma
- Charges
- 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; Parading, Demonstrating, or Picketing in a Capitol Building
- Case status
- Pleaded guilty; Dismissed in part or full; Sentenced
- Presidential action
- Pardon
Case Summary
Edward T. Spain Jr. wrote that he “utilized poor judgement” in entering the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, according to a signed confession he provided to the FBI in August. “I had no intent on entering the Capitol building but did so after hearing that shots had been fired on the Senate floor,” he wrote, according to a criminal complaint. He also showed agents the distinctive blue and white shirt, U.S. Army cap and black jacket he wore, as seen in surveillance footage from the Capitol and in photos he posted to Facebook that day, court documents indicate. In an earlier interview with the FBI, Spain said he traveled from Oklahoma to Washington, D.C., with two friends “to witness history,” according to the complaint. According to a sentencing memo filed in court, Spain served in the U.S. Army and the National Guard.
Case History
Spain pleaded Guilty to one charge: Parading, Demonstrating, or Picketing in a Capitol Building. The other charges are dismissed. Sentenced on 5/4/2022 to 36 months of probation, 60 hours community service; $500 restitution and $10 special assessment. Spain 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.