Record at a Glance
- Category
- Jan 6th
- Age in NPR record
- 47
- Location
- Cecilia, Kentucky
- Charges
- Obstruction of an Official Proceeding; Civil Disorder; 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 not guilty; Convicted; Dismissed in part or full; Sentenced
- Presidential action
- Pardon
Case Summary
The day after the insurrection at the Capitol, a tipster called the FBI and allegedly named the first person who entered the building through a broken window: Michael Sparks. On Dec. 30, 2020, prosecutors allege, Sparks replied to Trump's social media message of “JANUARY SIXTH, SEE YOU IN DC!,” by saying, “I’ll be there.” On Jan. 6, 2021, Sparks, prosecutors say, can be seen in multiple photos and videos from inside the Capitol as part of a group of people moving toward the Capitol Police "in a menacing manner." At one point, a Capitol Police officer tells Sparks and the group to "Leave now!" according to court records. Sparks responds to the officer, "We’re standing here for you as well," followed by “This is our America! This is our America!” After the rioting, Sparks allegedly posted on Facebook, "A new dawn is coming. Be ready. Just pray and trust in the lord," and that he had "give[n] up on democracy and I believe we have lost it for quite some time." Sparks was arrested Jan. 19, 2021, in Kentucky, where he lives.
Case History
Sparks pleaded Not Guilty to all charges. Found Guilty on all charges in a Jury trial on 3/1/2024. On 8/5/2024, the Court granted the motion to dismiss the Obstruction charge. Sentenced on 8/27/2024 to 53 months of Incarceration; 36 months of Supervised Release (with conditions); $170 Special Assessment; $2,000 Restitution. Sparks 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.