Record at a Glance
- Category
- Jan 6th
- Age in NPR record
- 33
- Location
- Phoenix, Arizona
- Charges
- Civil Disorder; Obstruction of an Official Proceeding; Entering and Remaining in a Restricted Building; Disorderly and Disruptive Conduct in a Restricted Building or Grounds; Violent Entry and Disorderly Conduct on 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
Jacob Chansley, also known as Jacob Angeli, is a U.S. Navy veteran and a follower of the QAnon conspiracy, which claims that Satan-worshipping pedophiles are running a global child sex-trafficking ring and plotting against former President Donald Trump. According to court documents, Chansley told federal agents he participated in the insurrection with other "patriots" from Arizona, at the request of the president that all "patriots" come to D.C. on Jan. 6, 2021. Chansley confessed to federal agents that he was the man photographed in Vice President Pence's chair on the Senate dais with his face painted, wearing a horned headdress. He left a note on the Senate chamber dais that said, "It's only a matter of time, justice is coming." He said he was glad he sat in the vice president's chair because Vice President Pence is "a child-trafficking traitor." Through his lawyer, Chansley recently expressed regret for storming the building and said he was disappointed with former President Donald Trump. According to a sentencing memo filed by the defendant in court, Chansley served in the U.S. Navy in 2006-2007.
Case History
Chansley pleaded Guilty to one charge: Obstruction of an Official Proceeding. The other charges were dismissed. Sentenced 11/17/2021 to 41 months in prison with credit for time served; 36 month term of supervised release; $100 special assessment; $2,000 restitution. Chansley 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 - Supporting Reporting
NPR video evidence pageNPR
Case summary, charges, procedural updates and image are drawn from the NPR Jan. 6 archive snapshot dated 2026-09-25 unless otherwise indicated.