Record at a Glance
- Category
- Jan 6th
- Age in NPR record
- 35
- Location
- Ephrata, Pennsylvania
- Charges
- Assaulting, Resisting or Impeding Certain Officers Using a Dangerous Weapon
- Case status
- Pleaded guilty; Sentenced
- Presidential action
- Pardon
Case Summary
Samuel Lazar sprayed an orange chemical irritant at law enforcement officers while trying to move a barricade on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol, leaving one officer unable to see, according to court documents. Prosecutors say Lazar dressed in a camouflage tactical vest, a black hooded sweatshirt and a patch that read, “Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle.” He also reportedly carried a bullhorn and a radio and wore camouflage face paint. A tipster turned Lazar in to the FBI, saying they had known him for 28 years. Lazar can be seen spraying law enforcement officers on video, the FBI says. Court documents also reference a video that the FBI says includes Lazar admitting to “macing” the officers. Prosecutors say he also said, “They attacked the people. We have a right to defend ourselves. F*** the tyrants. There’s a time for peace and there’s a time for war.”
Case History
Lazar pleaded Guilty to the charge. Sentenced on 3/17/2023 to 30 months incarceration; 36 months of supervised release; Special Assessment of $100; Restitution of $2,000. Lazar 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.