Kentucky man who helped plan Jan. 6 insurrection of U.S. Capitol sentenced to prison
A Kentucky man who helped plan the insurrection of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021 was sentenced to federal prison Wednesday, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Dan Wilson, 48, of Louisville, was sentenced to five years in prison by U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich. The U.S. Attorney’s Office said Wilson will be on supervised release after his sentence for 36 months. Wilson also must pay $2,000 in restitution.
Wilson pleaded guilty to conspiracy to impede or injure a federal officer, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Wilson began planning the riot in the winter of 2020. The U.S. Attorney’s Office said he sent multiple messages on an encrypted messaging application under the moniker “Live Wire.” One particular message said, “I am ready to lay my life on the line. It is time for good men to do bad things.”
Wilson went to Washington D.C. with co-defendant David Scott Kuntz and worked with others to coordinate their actions, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. He passed fencing and barricades and joined thousands of other rioters on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol.
Wilson spent approximately 12 minutes inside the Capitol building while wearing a gas mask, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. He spent time in the Rotunda and Statuary Hall before exiting through the east Rotunda doors.
During the insurrection, Wilson shared live messages with other rioters through Zello, saying “Stop the Steal J6” and “Hey, pass the word, Badlands, as fast as you can, the people are pushing on the Capitol. We need hands on deck,” according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. He also posted a message in a group chat called “Oath Keepers general chat,” saying, “Hey, whoever’s got ears on, even if you ain’t in D.C., pass the word, the people are pushing on the Capitol. We need all hands on deck.”
Wilson was arrested in May 2023, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The FBI identified him through online communications and photos.
Kuntz’ was arrested in March 2024. The U.S. Attorney’s Office said his case is ongoing.
How many people have been changed in Jan. 6 riots? How many are in jail?
Since the insurrection on Jan. 6, 2021, over 1,488 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the riot, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Twenty-three of those individuals were arrested in Kentucky.
Approximately 749 people have received sentences for crimes related to the riot as of Jan. 5, 2024, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. And 467 of those sentenced are serving a period of incarceration.
