Staff report

SOUTHINGTON — A Jan. 6 rioter from Trumbull County was sentenced on federal charges to 12 months and one day in prison, along with three years of supervised release for his role in the insurrection at the United States Capitol.

Michael Scott Lockwood, 32, took part in the illegal breaching of the federal building while government officials were attempting to tally electoral votes from the 2020 presidential election. Lockwood is one of several known Valley residents who participated in the riot and are awaiting sentencing.

He pleaded guilty to count two of a July indictment on the felony offense of assaulting, resisting or impeding certain officers. As part of his sentencing U.S. District Judge Randolph Moss in Washington, D.C. also ruled that Lockwood would have to pay $2,000 in restitution.

In a sentencing memorandum, Lockwood’s defense attorney asked Moss to consider either home detention or six months in prison. But federal prosecutors had been lobbying for Lockwood to serve a prison term of two years and three months.

“Mr. Lockwood lives with regret that he was there that day, let alone on the raised platform where he encountered law enforcement. While reviewing discovery and reviewing public coverage, he is well aware of the physical and emotional trauma this day inflicted on members of law enforcement– and helpless members of the protest — and he expresses nothing but regret and sympathy,” his attorney wrote in court documents ahead of sentencing.

Several letters from family and friends also were factored into the sentencing decison by the judge.

His mother, Bridget Flores wrote in her letter, “It is with a heavy heart that I acknowledge the charges that Michael is facing, (but) I firmly believe that this behavior is completely out of character for him,” Flores wrote. “This incident does not define his true character. Moreover, Michael has expressed genuine remorse for his actions. Michael has a strong sense of personal responsibility and accountability.”

Court documents state that Lockwood traveled from his home in Ohio to Washington, D.C., where he participated in the “Stop the Steal” rally. Following the protest, he headed toward the U.S. Capitol building and later to the northwest riser that formed part of the inaugural amphitheater.

Lockwood is accused of wrestling a baton from a police officer’s hands while the officer was attempting to hold back a crowd, and walking off into a large crowd with it, according to a statement of facts from a federal agent. In the documents, the agent revealed that Lockwood was identified by his grandmother after she was contacted by officers.

In the district court’s statement of offense from U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, around 3:47 p.m. Jan. 6, 2021, Lockwood sent a Facebook message to another user, stating, “I’m on top of the capitol bro,” and included a selfie. Lockwood sent another text, “They just tear gassed us,” four minutes after officers used tear gas on the northwest riser at 4:23 p.m.

Following the tear gas text, Lockwood made physical contact with the officer’s arm and body before jumping off a raised platform and grabbing the baton. At 5:07 p.m., the Facebook account associated with Lockwood sent another set of messages to another user.

“Yea bro I got in a fight with the cops,” the message from Lockwood’s account read.

At 5:11 p.m., the replying user texted, “and you didn’t get arrested ???”

Lockwood replied 44 minutes later, “No arrest I took a baton from them.”

Three days after the incident, Lockwood sent a message to another user stating, “Got me a little souvenir from Wednesday,” with two images of a police baton attached.

Lockwood was arrested by the FBI on Dec 15, 2022.

Thousands stormed the Capitol in protest against the election of President Joe Biden over Donald Trump during the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection. Approximately 140 police officers were assaulted, and 350 defendants werecharged with assaulting, resisting, or impeding officers or employees.

And 120 individuals were charged with using a deadly or dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury to an officer. In addition, approximately 935 defendants have been charged with entering or remaining in a restricted building or grounds.

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