Retired Air Force veteran sentenced to two years in prison for his part in Capitol riot
On March 17, a retired U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel was sentenced to two years in federal prison for his part in storming the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, along with others who were engaged in the now historic insurrection. Back in November 2022, Larry Brock, 55, of Grapevine, Texas, was found guilty of a total of six charges, including one felony, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. He was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge John Bates, who said after delivering his sentence, “It’s really pretty astounding coming from a former high-ranked military officer. It’s astounding and atrocious,” according to MSN
According to the government’s evidence, Brock was among rioters in the mob that illegally entered the Capitol grounds and Capitol Building on January 6, 2021. Brock was wearing military gear that included a tactical vest and a helmet. He was also photographed carrying a handful of plastic flex-cuffs.
He entered the Capitol at approximately 2:24 p.m. through the Senate Wing Doors. He moved through various areas of the building, including the Crypt and Rotunda. While in an area near the Rotunda Doors, he picked up a discarded pair of plastic flex-cuffs and kept them while in the building.
He entered the balcony of the Senate at approximately 2:43 p.m. and then moved downstairs and entered the Senate Chamber about five minutes later. He walked around the Senate Chamber for about eight minutes, and during that time, he rifled through paperwork on Senators’ desks. He then exited the Capitol at approximately 3:01 p.m., 37 minutes after he entered it.
In the weeks leading up to the January 6 riot, Brock posted messages on social media, including one on December 27, 2020, in which he stated, “I prefer insurrection at this point,” and another on January 5, in which he declared, “our second American Revolution begins in less than two days.” ~ Department of Justice
At yesterday’s sentencing, Judge Bates spoke of those social media posts and said that Brock’s violent rhetoric leading up to the January 6 riot was “very troubling,” according to ABC News. “That’s chilling stuff, and it does reflect a purpose to stop the certification of the election,” Bates said.
Brock was arrested on January 10, 2021, in his home state of Texas.
Brock’s March 17 sentencing came after he was convicted on a felony offense of obstruction of an official proceeding, and five misdemeanor offenses, including entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds; disorderly and disruptive conduct in a Capitol Building; entering and remaining on the floor of Congress; disorderly conduct in a Capitol Building, and parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol Building.
He could have spent a total of 20 years in federal prison just on the felony obstruction conviction alone; but prosecutors only argued for a five-year sentence.
In addition to his two-year prison sentence, Judge Bates also sentenced Brock to two years of supervised release after his prison term and ordered him to perform 100 hours of community service.
For more on Brock’s story, see the video accompanying this article.
Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today / Follow Richard on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram
