Matthew Lawrence Perna was an American man who took part in the United States Capitol attack on January 6,2021.
14 Facts About Matthew Perna
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Matthew Perna had previously lived in Thailand and South Korea.
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Matthew Perna wore a red hoodie on which the phrase "Make America Great Again" was printed.
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Matthew Perna later stated to police that upon reaching the top of the steps on the west side of the building, he found an open door and was pushed into the building by the crowd that formed behind him.
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Matthew Perna spent the next 20 minutes inside the Capitol building.
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Matthew Perna later told agents he tapped a window with a metal flagpole after becoming frustrated.
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Matthew Perna was charged alongside Ayres with witness tampering, entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, and two counts of disorderly conduct.
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Matthew Perna pleaded guilty to all charges in December 2021, on advice from his defense attorney that he could expect a maximum sentence of 6 to 12 months if he did so.
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Matthew Perna died by suicide at age 37 on February 25,2022, prior to his sentencing.
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Matthew Perna embraced people of all races, income brackets, and beliefs, never once berating anyone for having different view.
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In 2023, his aunt Geri Perna visited Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort with other family members of people charged in the attack; while there, Trump promised to posthumously pardon Matthew.
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In June 2024, The Washington Post reported that Matthew Perna was the only known individual rioter whom Trump had specifically promised to pardon.
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In March 2024, US representative Marjorie Taylor Greene introduced a bill named for Matthew Perna, stating that it "ensures that the political persecution witnessed in the aftermath of January 6th is curtailed by the law", barring the detention of nonviolent political protesters.
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Matthew Perna was one of at least four participants in the Capitol attack to die by suicide, along with 47-year-old Mark Aungst of Pennsylvania, 53-year-old Christopher Georgia of Georgia, and 22-year-old Nejourde "Jord" Meacham of Utah.