Rachel Powell | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1979 or 1980 (age 43–44) Anaheim, California, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Other names | Pink Hat Lady Bullhorn Lady |
| Known for | Participation in the January 6 United States Capitol attack |
| Criminal status | Incarcerated |
| Criminal penalty |
|
Rachel Marie Powell (born 1979 or 1980), also known as "Pink Hat Lady" and "Bullhorn Lady", is an American woman known for her participation in the January 6 United States Capitol attack, in which she wore a pink hat and used a bullhorn to instruct other rioters.
On July 18, 2023, Powell was found guilty on nine counts, including three felony charges and six misdemeanors. On October 17, 2023, Powell was sentenced to 57 months in prison, followed by 36 months of supervised release. Powell began serving her sentence at the Federal Correctional Institution, Hazelton on January 9, 2024.
Biography
Powell was born in Anaheim, California and raised in Fresno. At the time of the Capitol attack, she was a single mother of eight and grandmother of six residing in Mercer County, Pennsylvania.[1]
In an interview with The New Yorker, Powell stated that she was initially critical of Donald Trump and did not vote in 2016, though voted for him in the 2020 United States presidential election. Powell posted misinformation about both the election and COVID-19 on Facebook.[2]
January 6 United States Capitol attack
Powell was a participant in the January 6 United States Capitol attack, in which she entered a restricted section of the United States Capitol while carrying an ice axe and a large wooden pole. During the riot, Powell wore a pink hat and used a bullhorn to instruct other rioters, causing her to become known as "Pink Hat Lady" and "Bullhorn Lady". She also destroyed a window with a pipe, causing over $1,000 in damage.
Powell was arrested by the FBI on February 4, 2021.[3] Additionally, Powell's home in Sandy Lake, Pennsylvania was raided by the FBI,[4] all of her weapons were confiscated, and she was placed under house arrest.
On April 5, 2023, a federal grand jury indicted Powell on nine counts, including three felonies and six misdemeanors. On July 18, 2023, following a bench trial, Powell was found guilty on all charges, which included civil disorder and destruction of government property.[5]
Sentencing
Federal prosecutors recommended a sentence of 96 months in prison,[6] describing Powell as a "leading participant in the most violent insurrection to occur at the U.S. Capitol in over 200 years".[7] Powell's attorney argued against jail time, pointing to her lack of a criminal record and the fact that she had not physically harmed anyone during the riot.
On October 17, 2023, Powell was sentenced to 57 months in prison and 36 months of supervised release.[1][8] She was also ordered to pay over $8,000 in restitution, fines, and fees.[9]
Powell began serving her sentence at the Federal Correctional Institution, Hazelton on January 9, 2024.[10]
Subsequent activity
On December 28, 2023, Powell posted a tweet that included a photo of her wearing an ankle monitor. The tweet was widely criticized.[11]
See also
References
- 1 2 Bartos, Madeine (October 17, 2023). ""Bullhorn Lady" Rachel Powell sentenced to nearly 5 years on Jan. 6 charges". Washington, D.C.: CBS News. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
- ↑ Farrow, Ronan (February 1, 2021). "A Pennsylvania Mother's Path to Insurrection". The New Yorker. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
- ↑ Phillips, Aleks (January 10, 2024). "Teary-Eyed January 6 'Bullhorn Lady' Admits 'I Destroyed Everything'". Newsweek. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
- ↑ "FBI Raids Home Of Rachel Powell, Mercer County Mother Of 8 Suspected In Capitol Attack". Sandy Lake, Pennsylvania: CBS News. February 7, 2021. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
- ↑ "Pennsylvania Woman Sentenced on Felony and Misdemeanor Charges for Actions During Jan. 6 Capitol Breach". United States Department of Justice. October 17, 2023. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
- ↑ Reilly, Ryan J. (October 12, 2023). "Feds seek 8 years for 'Bullhorn Lady' who smashed a Capitol window during Jan. 6 attack". Washington, D.C.: NBC News. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
- ↑ "'Bullhorn Lady' Rachel Powell, Mercer Co. Woman Arrested For Role In Capitol Riot, Released From Jail Pending Upcoming Trial". Butler, Pennsylvania: CBS News. February 12, 2021. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
- ↑ Reilly, Ryan J. (October 17, 2023). "Jan. 6 rioter who smashed window and received signed Trump hat is sentenced to more than 4 years". Washington, D.C.: NBC News. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
- ↑ Levenson, Michael (October 17, 2023). "Woman Who Used Bullhorn to Rally Rioters on Jan. 6 Gets Nearly 5 Years". The New York Times. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
- ↑ Bond, Paul (January 6, 2024). "Meet The 'Pink Hat Lady' of the Capitol Riot: 'It Was Like War'". Newsweek. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
- ↑ Ettinger, Marlon (December 28, 2023). "January 6th ice pick rioter posts ankle bracelet photo, complains about her 51-month sentence". The Daily Dot. Retrieved December 29, 2023.