Law enforcement seeks man convicted of Capitol riots

Law enforcement is on the hunt for a convicted U.S. Capitol rioter, Antony Vo of Indiana, who failed to report to prison for his nine-month sentence and has been missing for weeks. Sources reveal an active search for Vo, with speculation he may have fled to Canada.

Criminal Conduct and Conviction

Vo's behavior during his criminal case, including violating pretrial release conditions and public outbursts, drew the judge and prosecutors' attention. He was convicted of disorderly conduct and other charges in September 2023, for his actions during the Capitol riot, where he was part of the mob for 27 minutes, taking photos and shouting "Freedom!"

Prosecutors highlighted Vo's blatant disregard for the court system and his lack of remorse for his actions on January 6, as evidenced by his social media posts boasting about intimidating police officers and challenging the legitimacy of his trial.

Sentencing and Reaction

Judge Tanya Chutkan sentenced Vo to nine months in prison and expressed concern over his demeanor during the trial. Despite the sentence, Vo continued to criticize the court on social media, alleging he was unfairly treated. His defense attorney and the Justice Department declined to comment on the matter.

Vo, who was 31 at the time of his conviction, is not the only one in his family involved in the Capitol breach, as his mother is also facing charges. She has a court appearance scheduled next month. Several other January 6 defendants have gone into hiding, with some, like Vo, failing to appear for their prison sentences – although a few have since been apprehended.

Law Enforcement Search

Law enforcement agencies are actively searching for Vo, and while his defense attorney and the Justice Department have declined to comment, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia has refrained from providing insight into the ongoing search.

In the 43 months since the U.S. Capitol riot prosecutions, several January 6 defendants have evaded capture. Notably, three individuals from Lakeland, Florida, were on the run for months before being apprehended in Florida earlier this year. Additionally, an alleged member of the Proud Boys also evaded capture following a failed sentencing appearance, only to be caught weeks later when attempting to discreetly return home.