A Sharpsville, Pa., man who would have been sentenced April 1 on federal charges for his part in the Jan. 6, 2021, breach at the U.S. Capitol has died.

Matthew L. Perna, 37, died Feb. 25 of “a broken heart,” according to his obituary that appears on the website of John Flynn Funeral Home and Crematory Inc. of Hermitage, Pa.

In December, Perna pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to a felony count of obstruction of an official proceeding as well as misdemeanor counts of unlawful entry into restricted buildings or grounds, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, and disorderly conduct in the Capitol building. Court records show he was to be sentenced April 1 before Judge John D. Bates.

His co-defendant, Stephen M. Ayres, 39, of Carolewood Circle NW, Champion, faces the same charges and is scheduled for an April 6 status conference before Bates.

According to the obituary submitted by Perna’s family, “his community (which he loved), his country and the justice system killed his spirit and his zest for life.”

The obituary goes on to tell the story about Perna’s arrest and aftermath:

“He attended the rally on Jan. 6, 2021, to peacefully stand up for his beliefs. After learning that the FBI was looking for him, he immediately turned himself in. He entered the Capitol through a previously opened door (he did not break in as was reported) where he was ushered in by police. He didn’t break, touch or steal anything. He did not harm anyone, as he stayed within the velvet ropes taking pictures. For this act he has been persecuted by many members of his community, friends, relatives and people who had never met him. Many people were quietly supportive, and Matt was truly grateful for them.”

The family stood by him during “this devastating ordeal and are extremely proud of his passion for life and his pursuit of many dreams. His actions last year are not looked down upon, instead his family is grateful and humbled by his courage,” the obituary concluded.

Perna, who loved to travel, graduated from Sharpsville High School in 2002 and was a Penn State graduate.

None of the charges deal with any acts of violence, court officials say.

Both men were free on bond.

The affidavit states that multiple tips showed Ayres and Perna were “of the many who had unlawfully entered the Capitol on that day, and … had posted a video talking about it on social media later that day.”

His attorney, Jerry Ingram, said the situation is “purely tragic” He said Perna was a victim of “overzealous” prosecutors in the U.S. Attorney office.

“There was absolutely no evidence that Mr. Perna caused harm to person or property,” Ingram said, noting Perna didn’t enter any private officer or either chamber of Congress. “He just stood in the lobby for 20 minutes and left.”

Ingram said prosecutors should have gone after “those people who brought the crowds to Washington” that day.