Alex Harkrider, a Carthaginian convicted for his role in the January 6 attack

CARTHAGE, Texas (KTAL/KMSS) — A Carthage man was sentenced to prison Thursday after being found guilty of multiple felony and misdemeanor charges related to his participation in the Jan. 6 breach of the U.S. Capitol.

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Alex Kirk Harkrider, 36, was sentenced to 24 months in prison and 24 months of supervised release and ordered to pay $2,000 in restitution.

As detailed in the press release, Harkrider wore body armor and carried a tactical tomahawk.

The East Texa man was convicted of:

• criminal charges of civil disorder,
• obstruction of an official proceeding,
• enter and remain in a restricted building or grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon and
• disorderly and disruptive conduct with a deadly or dangerous weapon in a restricted building or grounds.

In addition to the crimes, Harkrider was also convicted of misdemeanor counts of theft of government property, disorderly conduct in a Capitol building, and parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building.

The 36-year-old traveled from his home to Washington, D.C. with his friends and co-defendant, Ryan Nicholas, due to their shared belief that the 2020 presidential election was fraudulent.

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia detailed that Nichols sent Harkrider a photo of a bulletproof vest and its price, stating that the bulletproof vest would protect against bullets. In another series of messages, Nichols said: “Dad and I are building a gun container in the truck today. Just know that I have information that Washington will be a war zone. It is quite possible that the real battle will fail.

On January 6, 2021, Harkrider and Nichols joined the large crowd of rioters in front of an arched entrance known as the “tunnel”; the press release states that the site has been “Some of the most violent attacks on law enforcement officers.

Nichols was sentenced to 63 months in prison on May 2 for his role in the Capitol riots.

Harkrider was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Royce C. Lamberth.

The case is still ongoing.

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia encourages anyone with information to call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.