Record at a Glance
- Category
- Jan 6th
- Age in NPR record
- 51
- Location
- Covington, Louisiana
- Charges
- 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 or Grounds; Parading, Demonstrating, or Picketing in a Capitol Building
- Case status
- Pleaded guilty; Sentenced
- Presidential action
- Pardon
Case Summary
Willard Purkel, Jr., and his son, Colby, pushed their way into the Capitol building on Jan. 6, 2021, along with other rioters, ultimately reaching the Rotunda, according to court documents. They continued to remain on Capitol grounds after being escorted out of the building by authorities. They were arrested on Nov. 30, 2023. According to sentencing memos filed in court, Purkel, Jr. served in the U.S. Navy.
Case History
Purkel, Jr. pleaded Guilty to all charges. Sentenced on 9/12/2024 to 60 days incarceration; 9 months of Supervised Release; Special Assessment of $170; Restitution of $2,000. Purkel, Jr. 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.