Kevin Galetto

Kevin attended the 2020 election protest on January 6, 2021.  He stated this as his reasoning: Edmund Burke stated, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” I felt very strongly that I had to do anything necessary to triumph over this evil that had invaded our society and stole America’s single most important right as citizens of the free world, our vote.”

After Trump’s speech, Kevin made his way to the Capitol at the Lower West Terrace, where police were spraying the protestors with tear gas and bear spray.

Camera video footage shows Kevin in the tunnel with his arms extended and pressed up against the riot shields of a police officer as well as his involvement in a scuffle with one officer, which caused the officer to be knocked to the ground. Kevin could also be heard shouting to the crowd outside, “More people!” in an attempt to summon more protesters to the tunnel entrance.

The FBI set up a watch of Kevin and his family and was able to take photos during a family garage sale at Kevin’s home in March, which allowed them to match him to the images recorded during the protest.

In Kevin’s online journal entries, he states: “Authorities arrested me in Westminster, California, using flashbangs and attempted to force their way into my home.  I was then transported to the Santa Ana federal courthouse, shackled with chains, and placed in a holding cell awaiting arraignment. I have never been in trouble in the past. I followed my heart and values across the United States of America in hopes of ensuring and securing our freedom and liberty.”

Kevin was charged with assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers or employees, obstruction of law enforcement during civil disorder, obstruction of justice (being challenged at the Supreme Court as it is a financial crime statute), entering a restricted building or grounds, and violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds.  The DOJ uses the financial crime statute because it is a felony and enables them to upgrade the misdemeanors, therefore maximizing the prison sentence.

On Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2023, Kevin was sentenced in the District of Columbia, by U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly to 27 months in prison, 24 months of supervised release, and ordered to pay $2,000 in restitution. Kevin pleaded guilty on March 20, 2023, to civil disorder and assault of a federal officer, both felony offenses.     

On the day of his surrender, as he stepped into the courtyard, he writes: “The guard put a chain around my waist and slipped handcuffs through the hole where a belt buckle would be, handcuffing my hands in front of me. After being escorted to the transportation vehicle, the driver had a shotgun and placed it into the van with the muzzle pointed at my face.”

Regardless of having to demonstrate compliance with the authorities, he holds tight to his beliefs in American freedom.