Record at a Glance
- Category
- Jan 6th
- Age in NPR record
- 55
- Location
- Palm Harbor, Florida
- 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
Michael Stepakoff, a rabbi at a messianic synagogue, allegedly entered the Capitol building as part of the Jan. 6, 2021, breach. Stepakoff was captured on surveillance footage taking photos with his cellphone after entering the building, according to court documents. Federal investigators also reviewed his Facebook page and found several photos of crowds outside the Capitol, along with a selfie of Stepakoff wearing a hat and jacket similar to what is in the security video. “Epic and historical moment,” read the caption.
Case History
Stepakoff pleaded Guilty to one charge: Parading, Demonstrating, or Picketing in a Capitol Building. The other charges are dismissed. Sentenced 1/20/2022 to 12 months of Probation with 60 days location monitoring; fine of $742; Special Assessment $10; Restitution of $500; 60 hours community service. Stepakoff 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.