Capitol rioter who attacked Reuters cameraman and police officer gets more than 4 years in prison

A man who engaged in violent acts during the U.S. Capitol riot, including an assault on a police officer and a Reuters cameraman, has been sentenced to a prison term exceeding four years. Shane Jason Woods, aged 45, holds the distinction of being the first individual charged with attacking a member of the news media during the January 6, 2021, insurrection.

In a court filing, federal prosecutors vividly described Woods’ actions. He approached the Reuters cameraman with a full sprint, reminiscent of an NFL linebacker pursuing a quarterback after an interception. Additionally, he physically assaulted a Capitol police officer, who was notably smaller in stature, with a weight difference of approximately 100 pounds. The officer was blindsided by Woods, resulting in her being knocked off her feet and into a metal barricade. The consequences of this attack lingered, with the officer experiencing significant pain, describing it as akin to being “hit by a truck.”

Prosecutors did not overlook the nature of Woods’ actions, labeling them as both cowardly and violent, noting their opportunistic nature. He targeted individuals who were physically smaller than him and who had made no attempt to engage with him, let alone cause harm or obstruction.

Efforts to interview the Reuters cameraman about potential injuries proved inconclusive, leaving his condition uncertain.

U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta passed a sentence of four years and six months of incarceration upon Woods, although prosecutors had initially recommended a prison term of five years and eleven months.

It is worth noting that Woods, who previously operated an HVAC repair business, was apprehended in June 2021 and later pleaded guilty to assault charges in September 2022. Furthermore, he faces first-degree murder charges in Illinois for his involvement in a fatal wrong-way car collision on November 8, 2022.

During his bond release for the January 6 case, Woods was involved in another incident. While driving under the influence, he was pulled over for speeding but subsequently fled from law enforcement. His reckless actions resulted in a fatal collision, where 35-year-old Lauren Wegner lost her life, and two others sustained injuries. While recovering from the crash, federal prosecutors overheard Woods confessing that he had intentionally driven the wrong way on the highway, attempting to collide with a semi-trailer truck. Presently, he remains incarcerated in Sangamon County, Illinois, awaiting a trial scheduled for January.

In both instances, January 6 and the subsequent car collision, Woods’ behavior is described as cowardly, monstrous, and lacking any consideration for the well-being of others.

A defense attorney, in a court filing, suggested that Woods’ lapses in judgment may have been exacerbated by his struggle with drug and alcohol abuse, along with untreated mental health issues.

During the January 6 incident, Woods was armed with a knife as he joined a mob of supporters of then-President Donald Trump who stormed the Capitol, disrupting the joint session of Congress tasked with certifying Joe Biden’s 2020 electoral victory.

It is essential to note that a significant number of individuals have faced charges related to the January 6 events, with over 1,100 individuals being charged federally. Approximately 800 of them have either pleaded guilty or received convictions through trials in Washington, D.C., and more than 650 have received sentences, ranging from three days to 22 years of imprisonment, as per an analysis by Big Big News of court records.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Capitol riot sentencing

More about Capitol riot sentencing

• Capitol Rioter Sentenced to Over 4 Years in Prison
• Shane Jason Woods Assault Charges
• First-Degree Murder Charges Against Shane Jason Woods
• January 6 Capitol Riot Prosecutions