Springfield couple sentenced to house detention for Jan. 6 riot at U.S. Capitol

A Springfield couple that participated in the Jan. 6, 2021 riot at the U.S. Capitol was sentenced this week to home detention.

U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta sentenced Zachary Wilson to 45 days of house detention and his wife Kelsey Wilson to 30 days, along with 60 hours of community service at a hearing on Thursday. The couple must also pay $500 in restitution for damage done to the Capitol.

The couple pleaded guilty, on Sept. 27, 2021, to parading, demonstrating or picketing in the Capitol building.

The Jan. 6 riots followed former-President Donald Trump's "Save America Rally." Near the conclusion of Trump's speech, thousands of attendees marched toward the U.S. Capitol before illegally entering. Rioter violence sent lawmakers and former-Vice President Mike Pence to seek shelter.

The Capitol riots left five people dead and hundreds of attendees have been charged nationwide.

Zachary Wilson has no history of "political extremism" and his decision to attend Trump's rally was last minute, according to a sentencing memorandum prepared by his attorney to argue for a lenient sentence.

"He had absolutely no expectation or desire to overthrow the government," the memorandum states. "Tragically, when Mr. Wilson was in a large crowd he decided to illegally follow the mob, rather than make an individual decision to leave. His accession to the mob ... has subsequently caused havoc in his own life, through these charges."

According to Kelsey Wilson's sentencing memorandum, she did not anticipate entering the Capitol until Trump incited the crowd to do so.

"Now after seeing what really happened that day by watching film on numerous platforms, Mrs. Wilson is ashamed of the fact that she allowed (herself) to be swept up in the moment," the memorandum states.

Prior to her charges, Kelsey Wilson was a first-grade teacher at Dayspring Christian School in Springfield. In September, an official with the school told the New-Leader that she is no longer employed by the school.

Attorney Kira Anne West, who represented Kelsey Wilson, did not wish to comment. The News-Leader also left a message Friday for Joanna Slaight, who represented Zachary Wilson.

Greta Cross is the trending topics reporter for the Springfield News-Leader. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @gretacrossphoto. Story idea? Email her at gcross@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Springfield couple at Jan. 6 riots sentenced to house detention