Tampa man becomes first felon to be sentenced for participating in January 6 insurrection
On June 2, a crane operator from Tampa, Florida, accepted a plea deal in federal court and pleaded guilty to a felony charge of Obstruction of an Official Proceeding when he breaching the U.S. Capitol along with the mob of insurrectionists who stormed the Capitol building on January 6, disrupting a joint session of the U.S. Congress in the process of counting the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election.
Yesterday, that crane operator, 38-year-old Paul Hodgkins became the first man found guilty of that felony charge to be sentenced for his part in the insurrection. Although prosecutors wanted him locked up for 18 months, Hodgkins was sentenced to eight months in prison for partaking in that riot. The maximum sentence for that guilty charge could have landed him in prison for 20 years, along with a fine of $250,000.
Surveillance video taken in the Capitol Building on the day of the riot shows that Hodgkins entered the U.S. Capitol building at approximately 2:50 p.m. Around 3 p.m., Hodgkins entered the Senate chamber, walked among the desks, and then removed eye goggles. He took a “selfie-style” photograph with his cell phone and walked down the Senate well where, a few feet away, several individuals were shouting, praying and cheering using a bullhorn.
Video captured Hodgkins carrying a large red “Trump 2020” flag on the floor of the U.S. Senate during that now infamous Capitol riot.
At his sentencing yesterday, U.S. District Court Judge Randolph Moss of Washington said: “Although you were only one member of a larger mob, you actively participated in a larger event that threatened the Capitol and democracy itself.”
“The damage that was caused that way was way beyond a several-hour delay of the vote certification,” Moss said. “It is a damage that will persist in this country for several decades.”
Also see:
- Self-proclaimed MAGA Caravan Leader arrested for assault on police during Jan. 6 Capitol riot
- John Earle Sullivan: Insurrectionist who sold videos of Capitol riot has funds seized by government
- Another Florida man arrested in connection with January 6 attack on the Capitol
During sentencing, Hodgkins expressed his remorse for his January 6 participation and told the judge that he regretted his actions that fateful day, according to NBC News.
“I can say without a shadow of a doubt that I am truly remorseful and regretful for my actions, not because I face consequences but because of the damage that day’s incident caused and the way this country that I love has been hurt,” he said.
“I realize that my involvement did still contribute to the greater problem that took place. The company of us who remained calmer in our protests may have made others feel emboldened.”
Hodgkins is the third person to be sentenced for being part of the mayhem at the U.S. Capitol. In June, an Indiana woman was given three years probation after pleading guilty to a charge of illegally demonstrating in the Capitol. Last week a Florida man was sentenced to six months in prison after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor charge. ~ CNBC
For more on this landmark sentencing, see the video accompanying this article.
(Source: Department of Justice)
Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today / Follow Richard on Facebook and Twitter
