Mountlake Terrace man charged for participation in Jan. 6 riot at US Capitol

December 28, 2023 / 4:22 pm

caption: Images included in a federal charging document alleging Matthew Lawrence Stickney, of Mountlake Terrace, took part in the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection at the Capital building in Washington D.C.

Another Washington state resident has been charged for his alleged participation in the Capitol insurrection on Jan. 6, 2021.

Matthew Lawrence Stickney of Mountlake Terrace has been charged with unlawfully entering the Capitol building, two counts of disorderly conduct, and demonstrating in the Capitol.

Stickney is the latest Washington state resident to be charged in relation to Jan. 6. A total of 18 Washingtonians have reportedly been arrested, including Ethan Nordean of Auburn, a Proud Boy who served as a leader among rioters that day. Nordean has been sentenced to 18 years in prison. The Associated Press reports that more than 1,200 people have now faced charges for their involvement in the riot.

According to the charging document, the FBI obtained flight records that show Stickney took an airplane to and from Washington, D.C., around Jan. 6.

An agent identified Stickney by tracking two phones associated with his Google email and Google voice account. That data allegedly indicated that Stickney was inside the Capitol during the time of the riot. Stickney was also allegedly identified on video posted to social media, as well as surveillance footage from inside the Capitol building.

The FBI also points to Stickney's Google search history, which was obtained through a search warrant, and argues it is relevant to activities in D.C. that day. Alleged searches listed in the charging document include:

how do i take my gun with me on a flight
is weed legal in d.c.
can i bring a gas mask on a plane
can i carry a knife on a plane

After the events on Jan. 6, the charging document claims Stickney further Google searched for:

hands burning from pepper spray
cs gas
us capitol
hd security cameras

Stickney also allegedly searched for the term, "Boy, that escalated quickly," in the hours following the insurrection, which the FBI notes is a line from the 2004 film "Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy" in reference to a fight scene "that got out of hand, resulting in serious injury and death to some participants."

KIRO 7 reporters reached out to Stickney's family. His father, Larry Stickney, commented that his son has a strong sense of right and wrong and that he has never been more proud of him. Larry Stickney works for Pierce County Councilmember Amy Cruver, who represents District 3.