Verdict expected July 18 on last Valley resident charged in January 6 Capitol incursion

A verdict is expected next month for the eighth person from the Valley charged in connection with the January 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol.

U.S. District Court Judge Royce Lamberth announced on Monday that he plans to deliver his verdict in the case of Rachel Powell on July 18 at 11:30 am in his Washington D.C. courtroom.

The judge has been considering the evidence presented during the May trial of Rachel Powell, a 43-year-old Mercer County mother of eight, charged for allegedly carrying an ice axe and a "large" wooden pole into the Capitol while Vice President Pence was in the building to help certify the results of the Presidential Election. 

Powell elected to have the judge hear her case instead of a jury.

Dubbed the “pink hat lady” and “bullhorn lady” for a video showing her wearing a pink knit cap and carrying a bullhorn during the incursion, faces nine charges that include civil disorder, obstruction, destruction of US property, entering a restricted building or property with a dangerous weapon, and disorderly conduct.

Seven others from the Valley charged in connection with the insurrection have already been convicted.

Earlier this month two people from New Castle, Philip Vogel, II, and Debra Maimone pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting the theft of property.

Prosecutors say security video showed the two near a group of people who were pushing through law enforcement and forcing a door open, with Vogel kicking an office door. In addition, investigators say the two stole police protective gear.

Sentencing for the pair is scheduled to take place on August 25.

A jury convicted Kenneth Thomas of East Liverpool on charges of civil disorder, four counts of assaulting, resisting, or impeding an officer, entering, or remaining in a restricted building and grounds, and disorderly or disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds.

 Thomas will be sentenced in September.

In January, Brian and Julia Sizer of Ellwood City were both placed on probation for a year for entering the Capitol during the disturbance.

Stephen Ayers of Champion, Ohio, who made national headlines when he testified before the January Sixth Committee about his participation in the incursion, was sentenced to two years probation after pleading guilty to entering the temporary residence of the president and disorderly conduct in the Capitol.

 Ayers’ co-defendant in the case, Matthew Perna of Sharon, died by suicide prior to his sentencing after pleading guilty to felony obstruction of Congress.