Matthew Perna: A Life Destroyed by Lawfare

A Proud American and Peaceful Protester

Matthew Lawrence Perna was a patriotic American, a devoted son, and a man who believed in the Constitution and the principles of free speech. He grew up in Sharpsville, Pennsylvania, where he was known for his kind heart, love of travel, and deep curiosity about the world. He built a life as a businessman and educator, driven by a desire to explore, learn, and contribute to his community.

Like millions of Americans, Perna had concerns about the 2020 election and believed he had a right—indeed, a duty—to peacefully protest and make his voice heard. That belief led him to Washington, D.C., on January 6, 2021, where he joined countless other citizens in what was supposed to be a peaceful expression of their First Amendment rights.

A Nonviolent Walk Through the Capitol

On January 6, Perna, like many others, followed the crowd to the U.S. Capitol. He entered through an open door, walked around, and took pictures. He did not break anything. He did not steal anything. He did not harm anyone. In fact, he stayed inside for roughly 20 minutes before peacefully leaving.

Despite this, he soon found himself targeted by the federal government. The FBI arrested him, treating him as if he were a violent criminal. He was charged with multiple offenses, including the vague and overreaching “obstruction of an official proceeding” charge—a felony that carries a sentence of up to 20 years.

The Weaponization of the Legal System Against Him

What happened next was nothing short of a political persecution. Perna, who had never been in serious legal trouble before, was caught in the jaws of a government determined to make an example out of him. The Department of Justice, fueled by a media-driven narrative that all January 6 participants were “insurrectionists,” aggressively pursued excessive charges against nonviolent defendants like Perna.

Rather than allowing justice to be served fairly, the prosecution sought to destroy him. Though he had no history of violence and had fully cooperated with authorities, he was told he would likely face years in prison. His initial hope for a fair resolution was crushed when the government moved to increase his sentencing recommendations, despite his plea deal.

Perna was not a political extremist. He was a concerned citizen who thought he had a right to peacefully protest. Yet, the government treated him like a dangerous criminal, seeking to punish him for daring to challenge the official narrative.

The Breaking Point: His Tragic Suicide

The relentless legal pressure, the media’s demonization of people like him, and the betrayal of the very system he had once believed in became too much for Perna to bear. He had spent over a year under legal attack, watching his future be torn away over a peaceful, nonviolent act. The emotional toll was devastating.

On February 25, 2022, just weeks before his sentencing, Matthew Perna tragically took his own life. His family was devastated, but they were also furious. In his obituary, they made it clear what had happened:
“Matt did not break, touch, or steal anything. He did not harm anyone, as he stayed within the velvet ropes taking pictures. For this act, he was persecuted by his government and ultimately died of a broken heart.”
His death was not just a personal tragedy—it was a direct consequence of an overreaching government using the legal system as a weapon.

A Symbol of Lawfare in America

Matthew Perna’s case represents more than just one man’s suffering. It stands as a stark example of “lawfare”—the use of the legal system to target and destroy political opponents. The government did not seek justice; it sought retribution. Perna was not a criminal, yet he was punished as one. He was not violent, yet he faced a future behind bars. His death is a warning about the dangers of a justice system driven by politics rather than fairness.

His story has become a rallying cry for those who see what happened to him as a miscarriage of justice. Many believe that Perna and others like him were used as scapegoats, their lives upended to serve a broader political agenda.

The Legacy of Matthew Perna

Matthew Perna should still be here today. He should be living his life, traveling, working, and spending time with loved ones. Instead, he became another casualty of an unjust and politically motivated prosecution.

His death should not be forgotten. It should serve as a call for reform, for accountability, and for the end of weaponized prosecutions against peaceful Americans. If a man like Matthew Perna can be destroyed by the government for simply walking through the Capitol, then no one is truly safe.

His family and supporters continue to speak out, refusing to let his story be buried under the mainstream narrative. His tragic fate is a reminder of what happens when power is abused, when justice is abandoned in favor of political vengeance, and when good men are sacrificed to send a message.

Matthew Perna deserved better. America deserves better.