The first person to plead guilty to storming the Capitol on Jan. 6 with intent to stop the ratification of Monday’s Electoral College vote has been sentenced to eight months in prison in what could serve as an indication of dozens of similar cases.
The defendant, Paul A. Hodgkins, He pleaded guilty last month On one felony charge — obstruction of official action before Congress — he pleaded guilty to breaching the Senate floor with a Trump flag and a backpack filled with items like goggles, rope, and a pair of rubber gloves.
Mr. Hodgkins’ admission that he incurred the Capitol with the intention of obstructing the peaceful transfer of power made him distinguish him in the eyes of the plaintiffs from the dozens of other mobsters who only entered the building, without causing any disturbance or destruction.
At his sentencing hearing in Washington federal district court, Judge Randolph de Moss said there should have been “serious consequences” for the January 6 attack, but also noted that Mr Hodgkins, a 38-year-old Florida crane operator, was the first culprit. Once.
While Mr. Hodgkins’ sentence was less than the 18 months the government requested, Judge Moss noted the events of January 6 — when, he noted, a mob attacked the House of Congress and forced lawmakers to give up work. From democracy and flee – it was “extraordinary” and “chilling”.
“When the mob is ready to attack the Capitol, democracy is in trouble,” he said.
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