Jan 6 Rioter Looks to Canada for Escape

A January 6 Capitol rioter from Indiana seeks asylum in Canada to avoid a nine-month prison sentence, claiming political persecution.

At a Glance

  • Antony Vo, convicted for involvement in the January 6 Capitol riot, is seeking asylum in Canada
  • Vo was sentenced to nine months in prison but failed to report, becoming a fugitive
  • His mother, Annie Vo, also involved in the events, is with him in Canada seeking refugee status
  • Vo claims his conviction is part of a government conspiracy and hopes for a Trump pardon
  • The U.S. Marshals Service is actively searching for Vo as a fugitive federal prisoner

Asylum Seeker’s Claims and Motivations

Antony Vo, a participant in the January 6 Capitol events, has taken an unconventional step by seeking political asylum in Canada. Vo, who was sentenced to nine months in prison for his role in the Capitol riot, failed to report to serve his sentence and is now attempting to secure refugee status north of the border. The Bloomington, Indiana native claims he is a victim of political persecution, viewing his conviction as part of a larger government conspiracy.

“Our country, ourselves, we have a long history of standing up for our rights, what we believe in. The majority of Jan. 6 people have been held more than accountable,” Antony Vo said.

Vo’s asylum application process has included medical evaluations, but he canceled a refugee eligibility hearing. He is currently waiting for assurances that he won’t be detained or deported back to the United States. The U.S. Marshals Service is actively searching for Vo, who is now considered a fugitive federal prisoner.

Family Involvement and Legal Consequences

Notably, Vo’s mother, Annie Vo, is also seeking refugee status in Canada. She was present during the Capitol events and faces similar charges, having pled not guilty in August 2024. The family’s situation highlights the complex legal and personal consequences stemming from the January 6 incident.

“I think at a fundamental level, like at a foundational level, the whole January 6 thing is just so politicized and corrupted. I think that we’re entirely misrepresented. We’re basically entrapped and treated like very differently than any other protesters,” Antony Vo stated.

The Justice Department has described its investigation into the January 6 events as “unprecedented,” noting that it has “disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress in the process of affirming the presidential election results.” This ongoing investigation has led to charges against over 1,265 defendants across nearly all U.S. states and the District of Columbia.

Hope for Presidential Pardon

Vo’s asylum strategy appears to be intertwined with his political beliefs and hopes for the future. He has expressed belief that former President Trump will pardon him and other January 6 participants if re-elected. This belief is so strong that Vo has reportedly applied for a job with Trump’s transition team and a newly formed Department of Government Efficiency.

“I really thought that the police were keeping their oaths to the constitution and were stepping aside to let us exercise our constitutionally guaranteed rights. I thought it was totally permitted,” Vo explained.

If pardoned by Trump, Vo has indicated he would likely abandon his asylum application and return to the United States. This stance underscores the complex interplay between legal consequences, political beliefs, and personal decisions in the aftermath of the January 6 events.

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