Man convicted in Jan. 6 US Capitol insurrection now teaches at Roseville church
ROSEVILLE — A local man convicted of storming the U.S. Capitol on January 6 is now working as a teacher at a church ministry in Roseville.
A house of worship is now also a place of work for January 6 convicted felon Tommy Allan. An Instagram post from Liberty Learning Ministries shows Allen in a classroom where he now teaches photography and art.
That's in stark contrast to a photo released by the federal government showing Allen inside the U.S. Senate chambers on January 6, 2021. He pleaded guilty to corruptly obstructing official proceedings.
Matthew Oliver is the senior pastor at The Family Church, which runs Liberty Learning Ministries. The church educational program is not accredited and does not call itself a school.
"We believe in redemption and transformation," Oliver said.
"Where do you stand on January 6 and what it meant to this country?" I asked Oliver.
"What I know is we need to continue to look for things that bring us together," he responded.
Oliver is running for Rocklin City Council and said that he believes the attention he's getting for hiring Allen is politically motivated. The Sacramento Bee was the first to report Allen's hiring.
"This wouldn't be an issue if I wasn't running for Rocklin City Council," Oliver said. "The fact that I'm running for Rocklin and I'm running to continue to be a brave leader for our community."
The U.S. Attorney's Office reports that in the three years since January 6, the federal government has made 1,265 arrests that have led to 718 guilty pleas and 467 sentences that included a period of incarceration.
Allen recieved a sentence of 21 months in prison and three years of supervised release.
"I've always stood as a place for healing and restoration. I've been a bold leader and I'm going to continue to be that bold leader because that's what our city our region and this community needs," Oliver said.
"Are you saying Tommy Allen needs healing and restoration?" I asked Oliver.
"I'm saying that when people come into our life that need healing and restoration, we're going to be there for them. I'm going to be there for them," Oliver said.
Oliver said Allen and his family had been members of his congregation before January 6.
Allen was released from prison in May.