Ryan Michael English was sentenced to 73 months in prison for plotting to assassinate US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. English, who pleaded guilty in May, will be subject to three years of supervised release after completing his sentence.
English, 24, is from South Deerfield, Massachusetts, and also uses the name Raleigh Jane English. US Capitol Police arrested English outside the Capitol on January 27, 2025.
He was carrying Molotov cocktails and a knife
A Capitol Police report said a search uncovered two bottles described as improvised Molotov cocktails and a knife.
The US Attorney’s Office said English told authorities that he intended to kill a cabinet nominee who was scheduled to face a confirmation vote that day. English also said he planned to burn down the building of a think tank in Washington.
Senate confirmed Bessent
The Senate later confirmed Scott Bessent as Treasury secretary. Judge Rudolph Contreras sentenced English to 73 months in prison and three years of supervised release. Prosecutors had sought a 10-year prison sentence.
US Attorney Jeanine Pirro said they would not tolerate attempts to intimidate or harm public officials. Pirro described the attempted attack targeting Bessent as an attack on the democratic process.