Trump Pardons Delco Men Convicted Of Jan 6-Related Crimes

DELAWARE COUNTY, PA — Four Delaware County men who were convicted on charges related to the Jan. 6, 2021 incident at the United States Capital are on the path to freedom after President Donald Trump's first day in office.

Trump signed an executive order Monday granting pardons to the many people who were charged in connection with the day's events. The order also commands the Bureau of Prisons to release anyone being held after being convicted of charges related to the incident.

Among those people are Robert Sanford Jr., of Chester, Brian Healion, of Upper Darby, Philip Walker, of Upper Chichester, and Richard Michetti, of Ridley Park.

Sanford in April 2023 was sentenced to 52 months in prison and 36 months of supervised release after he pleaded guilty to assaulting, resisting, or impeding officers using a dangerous weapon. Authorities said Sanford, a retired Chester firefighter, threw a fire extinguisher at three officers, striking them in the head.

Walker was charged in September 2024 with felony offenses of federal robbery, assault with the intent to commit a felony, destruction of property, assault by striking, beating, and wounding, entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, engaging in physical violence in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly conduct in a Capitol building or grounds, act of violence in the Capitol grounds or buildings, and parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building.

Authorities alleged he and his brother — David Walker, of New Jersey — went into the building and assaulted and robbed a photographer outside the building.

Healion, a member of the Proud Boys, was sentenced to 100 days in prison and 36 months of supervised release in July 2024 after pleading guilty to felony civil disorder.

According to authorities, Healion was part of the group's "Ministry of Self Defense" a hand-selected subgroup within the Proud Boys created by former Proud Boys Chairman and federal informant Henry "Enrique" Tarrio as a "national rally planning" chapter. He and others helped their comrades breach the line of police and get inside the building.

Michetti in September 2022 was sentenced to nine months in prison after he pleaded guilty to charges of obstruction of an official proceeding. Authorities said his ex-girlfriend reportedly turned him in after he was sending her text messages on Jan. 6, 2021, calling her "a moron" if she didn't "see the election was stolen."

Trump's action also ordered the release of Philadelphia Proud Boy Leader Zachary Rehl, a veteran and son of two Philadelphia Police officers who was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for his role in what authorities said led to the breach of the capital and ensuing violence.