Jan 6th Record

James Matthew Horning

Pardon

January 20, 2025   /   2025–Present

Image of James Matthew Horning from the Jan. 6 archive

Record at a Glance

Category
Jan 6th
Age in NPR record
44
Location
New Holland, Ohio
Charges
Obstruction of an Official Proceeding and Aiding and Abetting; 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

James Horning told a friend on Facebook that he attended the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol so he could smoke weed in government buildings, participate in anarchy and intimidate Congress, according to screenshots of his Facebook profile included in the criminal complaint. He also posted to Facebook that he was “damn proud” to have been there. The FBI says surveillance footage depicts a man matching Horning’s description entering the Capitol at about 2:45 p.m. and wandering throughout the building.

Case History

Horning pleaded Guilty to one charge: Entering and Remaining in a Restricted Building or Grounds. The other charges are dismissed. Sentenced on 2/15/2023 to 30 days incarceration, followed by twelve 12 months of supervised release; Special Assessment of $25; restitution of $500; 60 hours of community service. Horning received a full pardon on January 20, 2025

Sources

Case summary, charges, procedural updates and image are drawn from the NPR Jan. 6 archive snapshot dated 2026-09-25 unless otherwise indicated.

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