Record at a Glance
- Category
- Jan 6th
- Age in NPR record
- 58
- Location
- Old Forge, Pennsylvania
- Charges
- Entering and Remaining in a Restricted Building; Disorderly and Disruptive Conduct in a Restricted Building; Violent Entry and 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
Frank J. Scavo is a former member of the Old Forge, Pa., school board, who unsuccessfully ran for seats in the Pennsylvania Legislature as a Republican. According to federal prosecutors, Scavo stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6. Scavo helped organize charter buses to take Trump supporters from Pennsylvania to Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6, 2021, court papers state. About a week after the riot, the Times Leader newspaper in Pennsylvania published a report based on photos taken inside the Capitol, questioning whether Scavo was among the rioters. At the time, Scavo denied he breached the building. But during a subsequent interview with FBI agents, federal prosecutors contend, Scavo "claimed he was pushed inside the Capitol due to the movement of the large crowd and was unable to resist getting pushed into the building." Federal prosecutors said the FBI reviewed footage Scavo recorded as he breached the Capitol but could not corroborate his claim. At one point, Scavo allegedly recorded himself inside the Capitol saying, "This is top-secret s***. We’re in the Capitol. Stormed the f****** Capitol of the f****** United States at 58 years old. What the f*** is wrong with America?" In another video described by federal prosecutors, Scavo allegedly said, "Your own personal tour of the freaking Capitol. We f****** took it back. Took it back.” According to the Times Leader, Scavo's defense attorney, Ernie Preate Jr., said that his client intends to plead not guilty to all charges and said, "Mr. Scavo is entitled to a fair shake. People shouldn’t jump to any conclusions."
Case History
Scavo pleaded Guilty to one charge: Parading, Demonstrating, or Picketing in a Capitol Building. The other charges are dismissed. Sentenced 11/22/2021 to 60 days incarceration; pay a $10 special assessment, $5,000 fine and restitution in the amount of $500. Scavo 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.