Riley Jane English was sentenced to 63 months in federal prison after admitting to traveling to Washington with a knife and improvised incendiary devices while intending to kill Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on the day of his Senate confirmation.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
A federal judge on Tuesday sentenced Riley Jane English to 63 months in prison for a 2025 plot targeting Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, imposing a substantially shorter term than the sentence sought by federal prosecutors.
English, 25, whom the Justice Department identified as Ryan Michael English, is a biological male who identifies as a woman, according to Fox News.
U.S. District Judge Rudolf Contreras imposed the sentence after English pleaded guilty to charges stemming from a Jan. 27, 2025, trip to the U.S. Capitol carrying a folding knife and two small Molotov cocktails.
“The offense is very serious,” Contreras said.
The judge referred to the defendant as “Miss English” and said English was concerned with “trans rights” when traveling to Washington with the weapons.
Contreras also noted that the two incendiary devices “probably would not have ignited.”
The federal sentencing calculation called for a range of 97 to 121 months.
Justice Department prosecutor Brendan Horan asked Contreras to impose a sentence at the top of that range, while prosecutors led by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro formally sought “a total sentence of 121 months of imprisonment, followed by 3 years of supervised release.”
Contreras, an appointee of former President Barack Obama, concluded that the recommended sentencing range was excessive under the circumstances.
“No one was harmed,” Contreras said. “The plan was basically impossible to succeed, and she turned herself in before it came anywhere near fruition.”
The probation department had recommended a 60-month sentence.
English ultimately received 63 months, or five years and three months, and will receive credit for approximately 20 months already spent in custody. The sentence will be followed by three years of supervised release.
Contreras described English as a 26-year-old transgender woman with numerous physical and mental health problems that had been worsened by drug use.
Before sentencing, English addressed the court and expressed remorse.
“I love my country, I love my family, and I live my life; I never wanted to hurt anyone,” English told Contreras. “At times I can’t explain the mental state that I’m in.
“I’m sorry for the fear I caused the country and my family,” English continued. “I have a lot on my plate with an upcoming surgery. I want a chance to work and start a family of my own. I’m grateful for the opportunity to get sober and get right in my mind.”
Pirro said the prosecution reflected the government’s determination to protect public officials from threats and violence.
“My office will not tolerate attempts to intimidate or harm public officials that strike at the heart of our democratic process and are antithetical to the values we all depend on,” Pirro told Fox News Digital. “The defendant is now a convicted felon and is headed where he belongs: prison.”
Trip to Washington Ended With Surrender at Capitol
According to the Justice Department, English traveled from South Deerfield, Massachusetts, to the Washington area on Jan. 27, 2025, intending either to kill a government official or burn down a Washington think tank.
English eventually focused on Bessent, who was being confirmed by the Senate that day as President Donald Trump’s Treasury secretary.
At approximately 3:12 p.m. ET, English approached a U.S. Capitol Police officer near the South Door of the Capitol.
“I’d like to turn myself in,” English told the officer.
English then disclosed possession of a knife and two Molotov cocktails.
Police recovered a folding knife, a lighter and two 50-milliliter Absolut vodka bottles with gray cloth attached to their tops, according to court records.
Investigators later searched English’s vehicle and found additional vodka along with material matching the cloth used in the improvised incendiary devices.
During questioning, English was explicit about the intended target.
“I was going to kill Scott Bessent,” English told police.
An officer repeated the statement as a question: “Kill Scott Bessent?”
“Yes, sir,” English responded.
English pleaded guilty March 26 to unlawful receipt, possession or transfer of a firearm and carrying a firearm, dangerous weapon, explosive or incendiary device on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol.
Johnson, Hegseth and Heritage Foundation Were Also Considered
Court filings described a broader set of potential targets before English settled on Bessent.
English told investigators that House Speaker Mike Johnson and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had been considered as possible targets and that burning down the Heritage Foundation had also been contemplated.
The focus changed after English stopped at a library in the Washington area and saw Bessent on television.
According to court records, English became angry after watching a clip in which Bessent discussed the federal minimum wage.
“He said it with a smile on his face and that got under my skin,” English told investigators.
English then went to the Capitol intending to wait for Bessent, according to the filings.
The plan was abandoned after English saw the level of security and concluded that other people could be injured.
Police also recovered a handwritten note that prosecutors said contained statements about the motivation for the planned violence.
“This is terrible but I cant do nothing while nazis kill my sisters,” English wrote in part, according to the Justice Department. “Im so sorry for lying and plotting and lying.”
Mangione Case Figured Into English’s Thinking
Prosecutors said English told police that the case of Luigi Mangione had influenced earlier thoughts about carrying out violence.
English “had been thinking about this for a while because of Luigi Mangione,” according to a statement described by prosecutors.
English also said Mangione’s legal situation ultimately contributed to second thoughts about following through.
“I pushed that away because I was thinking like that is so stupid, that accomplishes nothing, that poor kid just threw his life away for like a minute of vengeance,” English said, according to prosecutors.
Court filings also documented suicidal thoughts expressed by English during questioning.
“If all else fails, I was going to slit my wrists on the White House steps,” English told police.
“Just because that’s all you can do if you can’t hurt anyone else and you’re out of options and you’re out of time and you need to have an outlet and you need to show people how serious it is and you need to make one big dramatic f–––king thing.”
Judge Rejects Government’s Request for 10-Year Sentence
Prosecutors had sought at least 10 years behind bars, while arguing against the defense effort to obtain a substantially lighter sentence based in part on English’s mental health and personal history.
Pirro rejected an argument characterizing English as a “young transexual woman who has experienced trauma and suffering from the day she was born.”
The defense also asked that English be housed in a women’s federal prison.
Contreras said he would forward that request to the Bureau of Prisons, which will determine placement.
English appeared in court wearing an orange jumpsuit and glasses, with mid-length blonde hair.
“You’ve had a very difficult life with a lot of challenges,” Contreras told English. “You’re young, you still have a significant portion of your life. Good luck to you.”
When English entered the guilty plea in March, Pirro said threats against government officials crossed a clear legal boundary.
“Our system of justice depends on public officials being able to carry out their duties free from intimidation and fear,” Pirro said at the time. “This defendant’s threats crossed a clear legal line, and today’s guilty plea reflects our commitment to protecting those who serve. Anyone who threatens violence against government officials will be identified, charged, and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
Tuesday’s sentence leaves English with approximately 43 months remaining before accounting for any additional credits that may apply, followed by three years of federal supervision.
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