Participants in Jan. 6 Capitol Riot File Lawsuit Against Police in Florida

Dozens of rioters allege police actions caused them physical and emotional injuries.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 8:49pm

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A moody, cinematic painting depicting a lone police barricade or riot shield in soft, warm light, conveying the tense and divisive aftermath of the Capitol attack.The lawsuit alleges that police actions during the January 6th Capitol riot caused physical and emotional injuries to participants.Today in Orlando

Dozens of people who participated in the attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, have filed a federal class action lawsuit in Florida against the U.S. Capitol Police and D.C. Metropolitan Police. The 46 plaintiffs, including several Florida residents, are seeking over $18 million in damages, alleging that police 'indiscriminately launched explosive munitions, chemical agents, and impact projectiles into a peaceful crowd and physically assaulted members of the crowd' that day.

Why it matters

This lawsuit represents an ongoing legal battle over the events of January 6th, with rioters seeking compensation for injuries sustained during clashes with law enforcement. It highlights the continued political and legal fallout from the Capitol attack, which has led to hundreds of criminal charges and convictions.

The details

The lawsuit was filed in the Ocala division of the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida on Friday. Among the plaintiffs are Patrick and Marie Sullivan of Citrus County, and Alan E. Fischer III of Tampa, who allege they were exposed to pepper spray and suffered injuries. Another plaintiff, Dominic Pezzola of New York, was previously sentenced to 10 years in prison for his role in the riot, but had his sentence commuted by former President Trump. Other plaintiffs include Craig Bingert of Pennsylvania, who was sentenced to 96 months in prison, and Christopher Worrell of Naples, Florida, who received a 120-month sentence.

  • On Jan. 20, 2025, former President Donald Trump offered a full pardon to approximately 1,500 individuals convicted of offenses related to the events at the Capitol.
  • On Feb 1, 2023, Dominic Pezzola was sentenced to 10 years in prison and 36 months of supervised release.
  • On Sept. 26, 2023, Craig Bingert was sentenced to 96 months in prison.
  • On Jan. 4, 2024, Christopher Worrell was sentenced to 120 months in prison.

The players

Patrick and Marie Sullivan

Citrus County residents who were on the west terrace of the U.S. Capitol building and were exposed to pepper spray, suffering injuries.

Alan E. Fischer III

Tampa resident who was on the west side of the Capitol building, struck in the face and injured with a pepper ball, and later exposed to pepper spray.

Dominic Pezzola

New York resident who was sentenced to 10 years in prison for his role in the riot, but had his sentence commuted by former President Trump.

Craig Bingert

Pennsylvania resident who was sentenced to 96 months in prison for grabbing a metal bike rack used as a police barricade and pushing it against officers, resulting in injury.

Christopher Worrell

Naples, Florida resident who was sentenced to 120 months in prison for assaulting a group of police officers with a deadly weapon and breaching the Capitol perimeter.

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What’s next

The lawsuit will proceed through the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, with the plaintiffs seeking over $18 million in damages from the U.S. Capitol Police and D.C. Metropolitan Police.

The takeaway

This lawsuit represents an ongoing legal battle over the events of January 6th, with rioters seeking compensation for injuries sustained during clashes with law enforcement. It highlights the continued political and legal fallout from the Capitol attack, which has led to hundreds of criminal charges and convictions.