Lavon Texas Man Convicted On Charges Related To The 2021 Capitol Breach

A Texas man was convicted for two felony charges and four misdemeanors stemming from his involvement in the Capitol breach on January 6, 2021. The disruptive actions committed by him and other individuals disturbed a joint session of the United States Congress, where the purpose was to verify and tally the electoral votes pertaining to the presidential election.

Matthew DaSilva, 51, of Lavon, Texas has been found guilty on six charges after a bench trial presided over by U.S. District Judge Carl J. Nichols. A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for October 12, 2023.

DaSilva was convicted of several offenses including civil disorder, assaulting or resisting specific officers, unlawfully entering and remaining in restricted premises or grounds, engaging in disruptive conduct within restricted premises or grounds, engaging in physical violence within restricted premises or grounds and committing acts of physical violence on the Capitol grounds or buildings. However, DaSilva was acquitted on charges related to disorderly conduct within a Capitol building.

Based on the evidence provided by the government, DaSilva was among the rioters who gathered on the western front of the Capitol grounds on January 6, 2021. At approximately 2:35 p.m., DaSilva entered the west plaza of the Capitol while holding a flagpole and waving a large blue flag. Later, at around 4:20 p.m., CCTV footage from Capitol Police captured DaSilva positioned behind a group of rioters. They were seen participating in a collective “heave-ho” action, aiming to dislodge law enforcement personnel who were defending the entrance to the Lower West Terrace tunnel.

Around 4:33 p.m., DaSilva was witnessed advancing towards a cluster of officers gathered in the tunnel, forcefully pushing against an officer’s extended riot shield. Subsequently, DaSilva seized hold of a riot shield and forcibly removed it from the grip of an officer. Legal records indicate that thereafter, DaSilva made additional physical contact by swiping away the officer’s arm as they tried to utilize a handheld OC spray canister.

Over the course of the past two and a half years since January 6, 2021, law enforcement agencies have apprehended over 1,069 individuals across nearly every state in connection with the trespassing incident at the U.S. Capitol. Among these individuals are over 350 who have been charged specifically with offenses involving assault or obstruction of law enforcement personnel. It is important to note that investigations into this matter are still underway and ongoing.