Mercer County woman known as 'Pink Hat Lady' gets nearly 5 years for actions in Capitol riot

The Mercer County woman who became known as Pink Hat Lady following the riot at the U.S. Capitol was ordered Tuesday to serve nearly five years in prison for her role in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack.

Rachel Powell, who was convicted of encouraging violence against law enforcement and using weapons to break windows in the Capitol, had a bench trial in Washington, D.C.

In July, U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth found Powell, 43, of Grove City, guilty of all counts against her, including civil disorder, obstruction of an official proceeding, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon, engaging in physical violence in a restricted building and destruction of government property.

In addition to the prison term, Powell must also serve three years of supervised release and pay $2,753 in restitution and a fine of $5,000.

Lamberth allowed Powell to remain free on bond and self-report to begin serving her sentence after Jan. 5.

Federal prosecutors had been seeking a prison term of eight years, citing Powell’s “utter lack of remorse” and her continuous flouting of the court and its authority since her arrest.

The advisory guideline range was 87 to 108 months in prison.

“Powell’s criminal conduct on January 6 was the epitome of disrespect for the law and an affront to American democracy,” the government wrote.

So far, more than 1,100 people have been charged in connection with the attack that sought to stop the certification of Joe Biden as president following the November 2020 election.

In their sentencing brief, prosecutors said that the riot left more than 100 law enforcement officers injured and property damage reached nearly $3 million.

Powell, one of the first rioters to break through onto Capitol grounds, pushed against barricades and urged others to attack the police line. Prosecutors presented evidence at trial that Powell used a bullhorn to rally those around her and to give instructions on how to break through the barricades.

She also used an ice axe and battering ram to break windows in the building.

After the riot, Powell bragged on social media about her actions and the actions of other rioters.

In another post, she wrote, “There were lots of security. They had to retreat into the building and fight back because patriots were relentless.”

Powell was arrested less than a month later.

The investigation showed that Powell had been involved in planning to upset the election results as early as November, sharing messages on Facebook that she had been attending meetings in Washington and had conducted surveillance on a female legislator’s home.

Then on Jan. 6, Powell attended the Stop the Steal rally before traveling to the Capitol.

In arguing for a lengthy prison term, the government cited a recent interview Powell gave in which they said she attempted to minimize her actions.

She asked in the article, “Should I go to prison for years over a broken window because of a protest that got out of control?”

The prosecution sought an increased sentence based on her desire to use intimidation to keep former President Donald Trump in office and for advocating for violence.

“Even after this court convicted Powell for her actions, she did not express remorse,” prosecutors wrote. “Powell painted herself and other rioters as the victim of January 6, promoting falsehoods about her conduct on that day.”

In its own sentencing brief, the defense asked that Powell be sentenced to a term of probation, home detention and community service.

“Powell is remorseful of her outrageous conduct that day,” the defense wrote.

It equated her behavior that day to entering a small room and breaking a Capitol window.

The defense said that Powell’s upbringing was reminiscent of Oliver Twist, including violent altercations between her parents, drug and alcohol use by her mother and abuse of Powell.

She has eight children, ranging in age from 26 to 12. The brief said that the youngest of them rely on Powell, and that her ex-husband cannot be their full-time caretaker.

Powell’s attorney wrote that a neuropsychological assessment of her in January resulted in diagnoses of post-traumatic stress disorder; paranoid, schizoid and negativistic personality traits; and major depressive disorder.

“It appears that Ms. Powell was very susceptible to coercion and that she was manipulated over time to trust others who eventually led her to Washington, D.C., for the January 6th event,” according to the assessment. “This is someone whose protective factors were exploited by others.”

The defense also submitted 50 pages of letters describing Powell, a first-time offender, as kind and helpful to neighbors and community and church members.