Local

Central Florida woman sentenced for actions during Jan. 6 Capitol Breach

By Charles Frazier, WFTV.com

Central Florida woman sentenced for actions during Jan. 6 breach of the U.S. Capitol Leslie Gray, 57, sentenced to 12 months in prison plus an additional 12 months of supervised release for a felony charge of obstruction of an official proceeding.

By Charles Frazier, WFTV.com

ST. CLOUD, Fla. — A Central Florida woman was sentenced this week on a felony charge stemming from her actions during the Jan. 6, 2021 breach of the U.S. Capitol.

▶ WATCH CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS

According to the department of justice, 57-year-old Leslie Gray left her home in St. Cloud on Jan. 4 and traveled to Washington D.C. to take part in protests of Congress’ certification of the Electoral College votes for the 2020 presidential election.

After arriving in D.C. on Jan. 6, Gray joined a “mob” gathered at the East side of the Capitol as they surged past barricades, ignoring U.S. Capitol Police orders to stop.

READ: Deputies: Central Florida Uber driver kept stolen rental car running for weeks to avoid payments

Gray live streamed her activities on Facebook, broadcasting video of herself calling police “commies” and encouraging others to push back against them.

Central Florida woman sentenced for actions during Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol breach Leslie Gray while yelling "stop the steal!" during the Jan. 6 breach of the U.S. Capitol. (U.S. Department of Justice)

Despite continued orders to stop, Gray joined the mob as they pushed past police and illegally entered the Capitol.

Once inside the Capitol, court records say Gray continued to film herself in the Rotunda, stating “I am in Congress. This is our house.”

READ: Lewiston shootings: A timeline of the events of the mass shootings in Maine

After refusing orders to leave the Capitol building, Gray was forcibly removed from the building just under 20 minutes after she first entered.

Once outside, prosecutors say Gray continued her live stream, stating “We stormed the Capitol today…American patriots stormed the Capitol today. I am an American patriot. I stormed the Capitol today.”

Central Florida woman sentenced for actions during Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol breach Leslie Gray while stating, "we are about to breach Congress." (U.S. Department of Justice)

Gray was arrested in Florida on June 15, 2022 and pleaded guilty to a felony charge of obstruction of an official proceeding on June 1 of this year.

READ: Protesters interrupt tour of new affordable housing development in Parramore

Gray was sentenced Monday to 12 months and one day in prison plus an additional 12 months of supervised release, $2,000 in restitution, and a $100 special assessment.

The investigation into the Jan. 6 Capitol breach is ongoing. The justice department is still asking people to relay tips about suspected participants to the FBI here, or by calling 1-800-225-5424.

Since Jan. 6, more than 1,100 people from nearly all 50 states have been charged for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 400 charged with felonies.

Read the full criminal complaint below:

U.S. vs Leslie Gray criminal complaint by Charles Frazier on Scribd


Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.

©2023 Cox Media Group

0

Most Read