A Maryland man who participated in the Jan. 6 Capitol riots and boasted about his involvement in attacking police officers is headed to prison. Nicholas Ortt, 43, received a 27-month prison sentence for his role in the violence that erupted as rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol. In addition to prison time, Ortt was ordered to pay $2,000 in restitution, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Ortt pleaded guilty to assaulting officers during the riot, a serious charge that underscored the violent nature of his participation in the mob’s efforts to breach the Capitol. The case, part of the larger effort to hold individuals accountable for the unprecedented attack on democracy, highlighted Ortt’s aggressive behavior toward law enforcement that day.
Assaulting Officers at the Capitol
On January 6, 2021, Ortt attended the “Stop the Steal” rally in Washington, D.C., where former President Donald Trump urged supporters to protest the certification of the 2020 election results. After the rally, Ortt joined thousands of others in marching to the Capitol. According to court documents, Ortt was on the front lines of the riot, actively confronting police officers who were vastly outnumbered and trying to maintain control.
Body camera footage captured Ortt pushing through police shields at the Capitol’s West Plaza, becoming the first rioter to breach the police line at that location. As he forced his way through, he grabbed officers’ batons, contributing to the collapse of the police defense. Ortt’s actions helped clear the way for other rioters, who quickly flooded onto the Lower West Terrace. Once police managed to briefly push him back into the crowd, Ortt continued to resist, fighting with officers and rallying others around him. His aggressive behavior became emblematic of the violent confrontation between rioters and law enforcement that day.
Bragging About the Riot on Social Media
In the aftermath of the chaos, Ortt took to social media to celebrate his role in the riot. At 4:07 p.m. on January 6, Ortt posted a photo of himself alongside another rioter, proudly displaying a stolen police riot shield. He captioned the post with phrases like “Never was prouder to be part of it” and “Trust me I was there at the front lines,” further implicating himself in the attack on law enforcement. The FBI eventually tracked Ortt down after interviewing people who knew him. One individual had received a text message from Ortt with a photo showing him marching near the Capitol, wearing a distinctive American flag gaiter and a red “Trump” hat. These images, along with body camera footage, helped authorities identify Ortt and led to his arrest on March 8, 2021, in Ellicott City, Maryland.
Sentencing and Broader Implications
Ortt’s case is part of the ongoing legal repercussions for those involved in the Jan. 6 riots. As of September 2023, more than 1,500 individuals have faced charges related to the breach of the Capitol, with over 560 specifically charged with assaulting police officers. Ortt’s sentence of 27 months in prison serves as a reminder of the consequences faced by those who engaged in violent and illegal behavior during the attack.
This prosecution, along with others, demonstrates the federal government’s commitment to bringing justice to those who assaulted officers and disrupted the democratic process during one of the darkest days in recent American history.
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