Matthew Huttle, pardoned by Donald Trump.Photo: The Hill.
JASPER COUNTY, Indiana, 6 January 2025 – Matthew Huttle, an Indiana resident who was pardoned by President Donald Trump after participating in the storming of the Capitol on 6 January 2021, died during a confrontation with a Jasper County sheriff’s deputy. The incident occurred on Sunday after Huttle resisted an arrest attempt, Time Ukraine Israel reports, citing The Hill.
A tragic stop and a fight
According to Indiana State Police, the incident occurred at around 4:15 p.m. on State Road 14 when a sheriff’s deputy stopped Huttle’s car. During the arrest, the man began to resist, which escalated into a physical altercation with the officer. As a result, the deputy used his weapon and shot and killed 42-year-old Matthew Huttle.
Investigation and details
Huttle was carrying a firearm at the time of the stop, but police did not provide additional information about the circumstances of the conflict. An official investigation is currently underway, and the deputy sheriff who used the weapon has been suspended from duty pending the outcome of the investigation.
The story of Matthew Huttle: The pardon and the trial
Matthew Huttle was one of the many participants in the storming of the Capitol who received a pardon from President Trump. Together with his uncle Dale Huttle, he was arrested for his part in the riots. Matthew was traced to Boise, Idaho, and taken into custody after spending several hours at the Capitol. Although he was only at the scene for ten minutes, his involvement in the attack did not go unnoticed by law enforcement.
After the trial, Matthew was sentenced to six months in federal prison, followed by 12 months of supervised release. However, following Trump’s pardon, all charges were dropped and he was released without further incident. Like many other rebels, Huttle was among those whose pardons caused controversy in political circles, particularly in the US Senate.
Political implications of Trump’s pardons
Statements by Senator Lindsey Graham, one of Trump’s main allies, underscore the ambiguity of this move: “Pardoning people who have attacked police officers sends a message that could destabilise society,” he said, speaking out against pardons from both political camps.
Not the only case
Matthew Huttle was not the first member of the Capitol storming party to run into new legal problems after receiving a pardon. Last week, a Florida man, also pardoned by Trump, was arrested for firearms possession just one day after his pardon. These incidents raise questions about the law enforcement and security implications of large-scale pardons.
The investigation is ongoing
The Indiana State Police continue to investigate the incident that led to the death of Matthew Huttle. All details related to the incident will be clarified during the official investigation, which will determine whether the use of force during the arrest was justified.
