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Indiana Man Arrested in Canada After Fleeing Capitol Riot Sentencing
An Indiana man who fled the U.S. to evade a nine-month prison sentence for his involvement in the storming of the U.S. Capitol has been apprehended in Canada. This arrest coincides with the fourth anniversary of the Capitol attack.
Antony Vo was taken into custody without complications on Monday in Whistler, British Columbia, as confirmed by Canada Border Services Agency spokesperson Rebecca Purdy. As of Thursday, Vo remained in custody, according to his immigration attorney.
Vo is one of over 1,500 individuals charged for crimes linked to the Capitol riot, which took place on January 6, 2021. He is among the more than 700 defendants from that day who have received prison sentences. Despite being ordered to report to prison by U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan in April, Vo failed to do so and instead absconded.
Vo has not attempted to keep a low profile while evading his sentencing. He has been active on social media, discussing his case and promoting various conspiracy theories about the events of January 6. Additionally, he has participated in interviews, expressing his hope for a pardon from President-elect Donald Trump, whom he believes may take office later this month.
In a December post, Vo criticized Judge Chutkan, claiming he was unjustly convicted by what he termed a “kangaroo court.” He expressed disdain for the judge, saying, “My entire family hated Chutkan! It’s like we could sense the commie in her.”
Currently, Vo is seeking political asylum in Canada, with assistance from a lawyer based in Saskatchewan. He conveyed his confidence to The Toronto Sun, stating he was “pretty much 99% sure” that Trump would grant him a pardon once he returns to the White House.
“I really don’t have any reason to doubt it,” Vo added in the interview.
Trump has publicly expressed intentions to pardon individuals involved in the Capitol riot, labeling them as “political prisoners” and “hostages.” However, he has not provided specific details on how such decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis.
Oluwadamilola Asuni, the attorney assisting Vo with his asylum application, indicated that Vo will likely stay in Canadian custody until a detention review hearing, scheduled for next Wednesday in British Columbia. Purdy noted that there are no official records of Vo entering Canada at recognized entry points prior to his arrest, which was executed under an immigration law warrant. In 2024, the border agency reportedly removed over 14,000 foreign nationals for similar violations.
Vo’s defense attorney, Carmen Hernandez, stated that she first learned of his arrest through news media, and mentioned, “All I can say is that I have not heard from him since he was arrested.”
Vo, who entered the Capitol alongside his mother after traveling from Bloomington, Indiana, to attend Trump’s “Stop the Steal” rally, was photographed in the Capitol’s Rotunda holding a flag above his head.
Prosecutors allege that Vo spent approximately 27 minutes inside the Capitol, during which he took photos and shouted “Freedom!” while navigating through the building.
During an April court hearing, prosecutors argued that Vo’s actions reflected a broader pattern of defiance toward the legal system. He had been accused of violating pretrial release conditions by attending a protest supporting fellow rioters outside of a Washington, D.C. jail. The judge imposed a curfew on Vo due to these violations, as outlined in filings by the Justice Department.
In a court filing, prosecutors emphasized Vo’s lack of remorse for his actions during the Capitol attack, detailing how he bragged about intimidating law enforcement and disrupting the electoral vote count immediately after departing the Capitol. They asserted that his refusal to accept responsibility continued even following his trial, where he labeled himself a “J6 wrongful convict.”
A jury found Vo guilty of four misdemeanors in September 2023. He later expressed regret to the judge during his sentencing hearing, acknowledging, “I know I shouldn’t have been there that day.”
Judge Chutkan, who has also presided over cases involving allegations of election interference against Trump, remarked on Vo’s apparent disregard for the legal process, warning of further criminal charges should he fail to comply with the court’s orders. “He apparently has a different view of the Constitution and a different view of the seriousness of his actions,” the judge stated.
A jury trial for Vo’s mother, Annie Vo, is scheduled to begin on March 10.
Assault on the U.S. Capitol
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