Canadian authorities have detained a former Bloomington resident and IU alumnus convicted for his role in the capitol insurrection. He could soon be sent back to the U.S. to serve his sentence.
Antony Vo was sentenced to nine months in prison for trespassing at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Vo’s mother Annie was also arrested and is awaiting trial.
Judge Tanya Chutkan sentenced Vo last April and ordered him to report to prison in June. He fled north instead.
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) arrested Vo last Monday in Whistler, British Columbia, four years to the day after he illegally entered the U.S. Capitol. The CBSA declined an interview request, but spokesperson Rebecca Purdy told WFIU-WTIU News in an email that the agency had no record of Vo entering Canada at any official port of entry.
She added he was arrested for violating Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. Vo applied for political asylum in Canada at the end of last year.
President-elect Donald Trump has promised to pardon those sentenced for their participation in the insurrection, although his running mate JD Vance has suggested limiting pardons to nonviolent offenders such as Vo.
Vo’s attorneys could not be reached for comment.
I am grateful to report today that Canada has accepted my basis of claim for my refugee application for political asylum! Thank you @CanBorder !!! Big thank you to my attorney, Oluwadamilola Asuni ( @CrestAttorneyCA ). I can never thank you enough for being the ONLY lawyer to… pic.twitter.com/NqRb6L8A5d — Antony Vo (@antonyvo4prez) December 4, 2024
