Record at a Glance
- Category
- Jan 6th
- Age in NPR record
- 54
- Location
- Morganfield, Kentucky
- 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
Thomas Vinson told FBI agents that on Jan. 6, 2021, he and his wife went to the Capitol as a “peaceful bunch of people there to express their views to Congress.” He also added that he did not take or damage any property but mainly chanted after entering the building. According to his wife, they stayed inside for about 40 minutes, unaware that they were not allowed to be there. According to a sentencing memorandum filed in federal court, Vinson served in the U.S. Air Force from 1984 to 1988.
Case History
Vinson pleaded Guilty to one charge: Parading, Demonstrating, or Picketing in a Capitol Building. The other charges were dismissed. Sentenced 10/22/2021 to five years of probation, fined $5,000; $500 in restitution; $10 special assessment; 120 hours of community service. Vinson 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
Case summary, charges, procedural updates and image are drawn from the NPR Jan. 6 archive snapshot dated 2026-09-25 unless otherwise indicated.