Swansea man convicted of disorder, violence in Jan. 6 Capitol riot

Jusolyn Flower
·2 min read
4

SWANSEA, Mass. (WPRI) — A Swansea man was found guilty Wednesday for his involvement in the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

Michael St. Pierre, 46, was convicted after a bench trial of one felony count of civil disorder and three misdemeanor offenses: destruction of government property, disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds, and committing an act of physical violence on Capitol grounds.

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According to court documents, St. Pierre, who owns a grocery store in Fall River, traveled to Washington, D.C., to participate in the rally. Social media posts cited in the complaint, including an article from a user identified as “Turtle Boy,” revealed his intentions.

<em>Screenshots of Michael St. Pierre in a video taken in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6, 2021 | Courtesy: U.S. District Court</em>
Screenshots of Michael St. Pierre in a video taken in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6, 2021 | Courtesy: U.S. District Court

In a video, St. Pierre can be seen panning from his face to the U.S. Capitol and saying, “That is where the meeting ground is. Hopefully, they’ll bust through, and I’ll join them to rush the Capitol, to grab Nancy Pelosi by the hair and [expletive] twirl her around,” according to the complaint.

The documents also state that St. Pierre wore body armor and carried a megaphone during the riot. He climbed a wall, shouted through the megaphone, and pushed through the crowd toward the North Doors of the Capitol. As officers attempted to keep rioters out, St. Pierre reportedly encouraged the crowd, shouting, “Come on everybody, let’s go, we’ve got to get tight! Let’s storm this [expletive]!”

<em>Michael St. Pierre during Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol riot | Courtesy: U.S. District Court</em>
Michael St. Pierre during Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol riot | Courtesy: U.S. District Court
<em>Michael St. Pierre during Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol riot | Courtesy: U.S. District Court</em>
Michael St. Pierre during Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol riot | Courtesy: U.S. District Court

Once inside, St. Pierre threw the top of a metal flagpole at a window while officers were stationed behind it.

Leading up to Jan. 6, St. Pierre posted on social media that he was “off to Washington, DC until Jan. 7 to help save our Constitution … and hopefully help stop the certification of a crooked, dementia patient who is so deep in China’s pockets it’s insane!!”

His sentencing is scheduled for March 14, 2025.

First rioter to enter Capitol on Jan. 6 sentenced to more than four years

Since Jan. 6, 2021, at least 1,532 people have been charged nationwide in connection with the Capitol breach, with nearly 600 facing felony charges for assaulting or impeding law enforcement.

As the investigation continues, anyone with additional information is asked to call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or submit a tip online.

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