A Harrisonburg man was sentenced to 15 months in prison and fined $2,000 for his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol.
Jay Matthew Kenyon, 47, will also have 24 months of supervised release after his prison sentence is complete. Kenyon was alleged to have brandished a knife during the ordeal until he was disarmed by an officer.
Kenyon was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson on Jan. 10.
The FBI arrested Kenyon on March 2, 2023, at the Charlottesville FBI office.
Kenyon was found guilty Oct. 1, 2024, in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia of civil disorder, a felony, and four misdemeanor offenses, including 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 and parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building.
The criminal complaint
Following Jan. 6, the FBI Richmond office received multiple tips about Kenyon’s social media posts indicating he was present inside the U.S. Capitol Building on Jan. 6, according to a 17-page criminal complaint.
The complaint indicates a U.S. Capitol Police Officer identified Kenyon for brandishing a knife during the ordeal. The complaint reads: “Officer _ recalled the individual swinging the knife and perceived that the individual was trying to attack officers. Officer _ disarmed the individual.”
Kenyon wrote on Facebook that he had been preparing for the Stop the Steal rally by bulking up at the gym.
In a Facebook post dated Nov. 15, 2020, Kenyon wrote: “I will fight. We are ready. I’m not the only one who has been hitting the gym for months now … that was purposeful and definitely less about my overall physical health.”
In a post dated Dec. 20, 2020, Kenyon wrote: “Trump: January 6, 2021 Washington DC Be There, Will be Wild” Be part of the revolution. It’s gonna be fun!”
On Dec. 21, Kenyon stated “Need 15 lbs more weight by January 6 and you DAMN right if you think Im going FULL ON PATRIOT! I AM RADICALIZED!!…”
The complaint also indicates that Kenyon used the #StopTheSteal hashtag in multiple posts.
On Jan. 6, Kenyon posted a Facebook live video from inside the Capitol.
He later posted on Facebook: “I have no fear because I know what I did. I know what happened, and I will accept my consequences. I’ll be a martyr so people can see the complete hypocrisy of BLM/PANTIFA riots and MSM vs. Capitol and Patriot.
“I knew what I was doing. I am a very smart guy so you can go ahead and stop with the saying it’s a bunch of stupid country folk.
“This has just started. PS. If you disagree with me, delete me because I’m just getting started. No fear. I’m all in. 110. I welcome the FBI to my house. I don’t answer questions.”
Evidence against Kenyon
Kenyon’s actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election.
According to court documents and evidence presented during the trial, Kenyon was captured on U.S. Capitol building surveillance footage on Jan. 6, 2021, entering the Capitol at approximately 2:36 p.m. via the Upper West Terrace Door. After entering the building, Kenyon proceeded to the Rotunda, Statutory Hall and then the House Wing of the Capitol.
At approximately 2:44 p.m., Kenyon joined a crowd of rioters outside of the House Chamber as the crowd chanted and pushed against the doors.
Kenyon ascended the stairs to the third floor, the area outside of the House Gallery, and, at approximately 2:48 p.m., entered the House Appropriations Committee Room. United States Capitol Police officers escorted Kenyon from the third floor at approximately 3 p.m.
However, instead of using an available door to exit the building, Kenyon returned to the Rotunda.
At the same time, a large contingent of USCP and Metropolitan Police Department officers had arrived to clear the Rotunda. As officers surrounded the rioters, including Kenyon, in order to contain them in a tightly packed scrum, Kenyon resisted and pushed against law enforcement.
Kenyon was removed from the building by an MPD officer at approximately 3:26 p.m.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section prosecuted this case. The FBI’s Richmond and Washington Field Office investigated this case.
Submit a tip to the FBI
In the 48 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,600 individuals have been charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, a felony.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.
Related stories: Jan. 6
For related stories, search “Jan. 6” on Augusta Free Press.
- Judge convicts Harrisonburg ‘Patriot’ who brandished knife at Jan. 6 insurrection
- FBI arrests Waynesboro man for violent actions against police in Jan. 6 attack on Capitol
- FBI continues search for violent Jan. 6 rioters despite Trump’s pledge to pardon them
- DOJ, FBI continue to pursue Jan. 6 criminals who assaulted police, damaged property
- Former VP Mike Pence: Donald Trump shouldn’t pardon Jan. 6 rioters
- FBI: Two Virginia brothers now face felony charges for their actions on Jan. 6
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Crystal Graham
