More than 800 people across the United States have been charged with the Jan. 6, 2021, riots in the U.S. Congress, which left at least four dead and several injured and forced lawmakers to hide for hours.

Charges against angry supporters of former President Donald Trump range from low-level offenses for those who have just entered Congress, to conspiracy theories for insurgency for right-wing extremists.

This is the largest prosecution in the history of the US Department of Justice, whose leader, Attorney General Merrick Garland, has vowed to hold accountable “all perpetrators of January 6, at every level.”

At a time when the US House of Representatives Committee investigating the January 6 attacks is preparing to hold a series of hearings, the AP news agency has made a summary of what has happened so far:

Who is accused?

Authorities have arrested people in virtually all 50 states in connection with the riots. They include former police officers and U.S. Army veterans, an Olympic medalist and the son of a New York City judge.

Hundreds of people who have entered Congress but have not participated in the destruction or violence are facing only minor offenses, such as illegal entry into Congress, protesting and disorderly conduct – which can be punishable by up to one year in prison. vit.

More than 250 people have been charged with assaulting or obstructing law enforcement authorities. Of these, more than 85 are charged with using deadly or dangerous weapons, or causing grievous bodily harm to an officer.

Others have been charged with assaulting members of the media or destroying media equipment.

The most serious allegations have been made against members of two far-right groups: the Oath Keepers and the Proud Boys.

The leaders of both groups have been arrested and remain in prison, pending trial for conspiracy to revolt, or conspiracy to strongly oppose the legal transfer of presidential power. Such a charge could carry up to twenty years in prison.

Who was convicted?

More than 300 people have pleaded guilty to a range of crimes, including conspiracy and assault. Among them are three members of the group “Oath Keepers”, who have admitted that they have conspired for rebellion. They are collaborating with investigators and can testify against their extremist colleagues in court.

So far seven trials have taken place in the Federal District Court of Colombia. In the first five, the defendants were convicted on all charges.

The convicts include Thomas Webster, a veteran of the New York Police Department who attacked an officer during the riots. Webster claimed to have been defending himself until he hit the officer and snatched his gas mask.

The judges also dismissed claims by an Ohio man who said he “followed presidential orders” from former President Donald Trump when he attacked Congress. Dustin Byron Thompson has been convicted of obstructing the work of Congress in certifying electoral votes, as well as other charges.

U.S. District Court Judge Trevor McFadden, who has been appointed by Trump, has convicted Otero District Attorney in New Mexico Couy Griffin of trespassing on Congress premises, but has acquitted him of conduct misconduct. messy.

What about penalties?

About 200 people have been convicted so far. Penalties range from probation to more than five years behind bars.

About 100 people, accused of lower-level crimes, have escaped jail, although some have gone under house arrest.

The longest sentence – more than five years in prison – was imposed on Robert Palmer, from Largo, Florida, who fired a board and used fire pumps against officers.

Others who have received long sentences include Jacob Chansleyn. He was sentenced to nearly three and a half years in prison after admitting to entering the Senate Chamber and leaving a note to then-US Vice President Mike Pence, saying: “It’s only a matter of time, justice is coming.” .

What now?

Two high-profile trials – involving members of the Oath Keepers and the Proud Boys – are expected to take place this summer and fall.

Henry “Enrique” Tarrio, who was once the chief executive of “Proud Boys”, and four others associated with the group were accused on Monday of conspiracy to rebel. Earlier, other conspiracy charges were filed against them. They are expected to appear in court on August 9.

Tarrio, who has resigned from his post as group leader, has been arrested in another case, days before the riots, and has not been to Congress on January 6th. But he is accused of helping organize the violent attack.

The trial of Oath Keepers leader Stewart Rhodes and four other members and associates of the group is set to begin on September 26. Prosecutors say the Oath Keepers have been plotting for weeks in a bid to overturn the US presidential election results, and are preparing for a siege by buying weapons.

Authorities are still searching for many other suspects, including the person who planted two smoke bombs outside the offices of the Republican and Democratic Party national committees the night before the riots./REL