News

Aug 10, 2023

Pennsylvania Woman Found Guilty of Felony Obstruction and Other Charges Related to Capitol Breach

WASHINGTON – A Pennsylvania woman was found guilty in the District

WASHINGTON – A Pennsylvania woman was found guilty in the District of Columbia today of felony and misdemeanor charges for her actions during the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol breach. Her 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 presidential election.

Sandra S. Weyer, 59, of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, was found guilty of five charges, including one felony count and four misdemeanor counts, following a bench trial before Chief Judge of the U.S. District for the District of Columbia, James E. Boasberg. Weyer was convicted of obstruction of an official proceeding; as well as four misdemeanors: entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, disruptive conduct in a Capitol building, and parading, picketing, or demonstrating in a Capitol building.

Weyer is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 14, 2023.

According to evidence presented in court, after attending rallies on Jan. 3, 2021 and Jan. 5, 2021 to "decertify" the 2020 electoral votes, Weyer traveled from Pennsylvania to D.C. on Jan. 6, 2021 and made her way to the East front of the United States Capitol. After standing behind barricades placed by United States Capitol Police, Weyer helped remove the barricades protecting the Capitol and encouraged others to do the same, yelling, "tear it down!" Weyer continued past additional police lines on the East Capitol steps and forced her way along with the crowd into the East Rotunda doors, yelling "charge," "don't retreat," and "march forward" as well as chanting "stop the steal" and "break that door!" with other rioters.

Weyer joined the rioters forcing open the doors of the Capitol pushing past Capitol Police officers who had just been violently attacked by the rioters in front of Weyer, who acknowledged that in her view, the officers "stood down. . . because the crowd was too massive to contain any longer." Once inside the Capitol, Weyer went into the Rotunda, stating, "This is awesome, we did it!" before making her way to the various hallways on the third floor near the House and Senate galleries.

Weyer's obstruction charge carries a statutory maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison. A federal court judge will determine the appropriate sentence after considering all factors and the U.S. Sentencing guidelines.

The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney's Offices for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.

The case is being investigated by the FBI's Washington and Philadelphia Field Offices. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police.

In the 29 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,000 individuals have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including nearly 350 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement. The investigation remains ongoing.

Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.