St. Augustine man pleads guilty to Capitol riot charges, faces up to 5 years in prison

Frank Fernandez, Daytona Beach News-Journal
Anthony Sargent is seen exiting the Capitol building through a cloud of white smoke on Jan. 6, 2021, according to the federal prosecutors. The smaller red circle indicates tattoos on his knuckles and hand, according to prosecutors.
Anthony Sargent is seen exiting the Capitol building through a cloud of white smoke on Jan. 6, 2021, according to the federal prosecutors. The smaller red circle indicates tattoos on his knuckles and hand, according to prosecutors.

A St. Augustine man pleaded guilty Friday to civil disorder and other charges stemming from his actions during the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021.

Anthony Sargent, 47, will face up to five years in federal prison when he is sentenced, according to a press release from the Justice Department.

Sargent pleaded guilty in the District of Columbia to the felony charge of civil disorder and to misdemeanor charges of destruction of property; entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds; disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds; engaging in physical violence in a restricted building or grounds; disorderly conduct in a Capitol building; and act of physical violence on the Capitol grounds or in buildings.

Federal prosecutors stated this person resembles the individual identified by investigators as Anthony Sargent in the pictures at the Capitol. The photo is from a magazine article titled: "BMX Factor: Anthony Sargent of First Coast BMX."
Federal prosecutors stated this person resembles the individual identified by investigators as Anthony Sargent in the pictures at the Capitol. The photo is from a magazine article titled: "BMX Factor: Anthony Sargent of First Coast BMX."

Investigators have also identified a person who resembled Sargent and was a member of the Proud Boys, according to the criminal complaint.

A number of Proud Boys have been charged in the Capitol riot, including Joe Biggs, a Volusia County Proud Boys leader who lived near Ormond Beach and was convicted of seditious conspiracy and other charges earlier this year. Biggs, who was a prominent part of an officer's dramatic testimony before the January 6 committee, faces up to 20 years in federal prison on the seditious conspiracy charge. On Aug. 29, Biggs is scheduled to appear before a judge who is expected to rule on post-trial motions.

Anthony Sargent repeatedly threw an unknown object at the inner doors of the north entrance of the Capitol and and along with other rioters caused more than $1,000 in damage. The smaller red circle indicates what appears to be a radio.
Anthony Sargent repeatedly threw an unknown object at the inner doors of the north entrance of the Capitol and and along with other rioters caused more than $1,000 in damage. The smaller red circle indicates what appears to be a radio.

Open-source videos showed Sargent attempting to breach the Capitol's north entrance on Jan. 6, 2021, including one video showing him pushing the crowd in an apparent attempt to breach the outer doors of the north entrance, according to the Justice Department.

Images of Sargent also showed him exiting the north entrance of the Capitol building through a cloud of white smoke and later waving the crowd back toward the north entrance, the Justice Department stated. Sargent was seen again exiting the north entrance after a chemical irritant was sprayed. Images also showed Sargent twice throwing a rock-like object toward the inner doors of the north entrance, according to the Justice Department.

Law enforcement obtained this photo of Anthony Sargent while conducting surveillance in St. Augustine. The photo shows tattoos on the back of Sargent's right hand and knuckles, prosecutors stated.
Law enforcement obtained this photo of Anthony Sargent while conducting surveillance in St. Augustine. The photo shows tattoos on the back of Sargent's right hand and knuckles, prosecutors stated.

Sargent also physically separated a law enforcement officer from a rioter whom the officer was trying to detain for assaulting another officer, preventing him from apprehending the rioter.

Sargent was arrested on Sept. 21, 2021. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 28.

The criminal complaint against Sargent states that law enforcement identified an individual who resembles someone in the Capitol riot. One of the images is from a 2017 article in St. Augustine Social titled "BMX Factor: Anthony Sargent of First Coast BMX." The other photo is on a website called One News Page and appeared to show Sargent at a rally wearing yellow and black apparel, which are the colors of the Proud Boys.

The person circled resembles Anthony Sargent and the photo appeared in a story titled "How Canada Has Handled the Proud Boys," according to the Justice Department.
The person circled resembles Anthony Sargent and the photo appeared in a story titled "How Canada Has Handled the Proud Boys," according to the Justice Department.

The complaint also states that law enforcement retrieved from a disabled Twitter account an image of a man with a thick black beard resembling Sargent which listed the person's user name as "Sarge Slaughter" and said "Ancient City Proud Boy Constitutionalist Unapologetic no mask." The background photo for the account has texts that state "We want you to be a Proud Boy."

More than 1,069 individuals have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol since Jan. 6, 2021. That includes more than 350 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement. The investigation remains ongoing.

The Justice Department asks that anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Capitol Riot arrests: St. Augustine man pleads guilty to charges

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