Utah woman sentenced to jail for role in Jan. 6 Capitol riot

She also faces three years of probation and $500 in restitution.

By Edward Era Barbacena

A 58-year-old Kaysville woman was sentenced Wednesday to 30 days in jail and three years on probation for her role in the January 6 Capitol insurrection.

Janet Buhler pleaded guilty on January 13 to a single count of count of parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building. Thus far, she is the only Utahn to serve jail time of the eight arrested in connection with the Jan. 6, 2021, riot, which happened as members of Congress gathered to certify the election of President Joe Biden.

Buhler was arrested in Salt Lake City on July 30. She was originally charged with four other counts: knowingly entering or remaining in a restricted building without lawful authority; disorderly or disruptive conduct in a restricted building; entering or remaining in the Gallery of Congress; and disorderly conduct in a Capitol building.

The other charges were dismissed when she was sentenced, per her plea agreement with federal prosecutors, court records indicate.

According to court documents, investigators identified Buhler when reviewing footage taken inside the U.S. Capitol of Michael Lee Hardin, a retired Salt Lake City Police officer and Buhler’s stepson-in-law.

Hardin was sentenced in April for the same charge, and was ordered to 18 months of probation and 60 hours of community service, along with a fine of $500 in restitution.

Footage obtained by investigators showed that Buhler and Hardin entered the Senate gallery for about a minute at 2:44 p.m. on January 6, 2021. The two were in the Capitol for a total of about 28 minutes, documents state.

Two witnesses positively identified the woman in the footage as Buhler, and cellphone data confirmed she was using a cell site that includes service to the interior of the U.S. Capitol building, documents state.

After she serves 30 days in jail, Buhler will be placed on probation for three years. She also was ordered to pay $500 in restitution.