Trump Supporter Paul Hodgkins Is Sentenced To 8 Month For Capitol Riots

Florida man, Paul Hodgkins, who invaded the Senate chamber on January 6th has been sentenced to 8 months in prison along with 24 months of supervised release on Monday in the first felony sentencing in regards to the Capitol riot, according to The Huffington Post.

Hodgkins, who wore a Trump T-shirt during the Jan. 6 riot, pleaded guilty to one count of obstruction of an official proceeding. Four other charges were dismissed as part of the plea deal.

Prosecutors requested an 18-month sentence for Hodgkins, saying that he made the wrong decision at several points: in Florida, when he packed up the gear he’d bring into the Capitol building; on Jan. 6, when he left the Trump rally early and headed to the Capitol; when he unlawfully entered the Capitol grounds; when he illegally entered the Capitol building; and when he entered into the Senate chamber. 

Hodgkins’ team asked for a probationary sentence, saying that the court should bring the country together by showing leniency and forgiveness. Hodgkins’ lawyer said in a filing that the court should follow the path that former President Abraham Lincoln had planned before his assassination and seek to bring the country together.

 

“The Court has a chance to emulate Lincoln. We have the chance to be as Lincoln had hoped, to exercise grace and charity, and to restore healing for those who seek forgiveness,” attorney Patrick Leduc wrote. “Alternatively, we can follow the mistakes of our past: to be harsh, seek vengeance, retribution, and revenge, and continue to watch the nation go down its present regrettable path.”

 

Hodgkins, 38, is the third defendant sentenced in the Capitol attack. Two prior defendants had been sentenced on misdemeanor charges. More than 500 people have been arrested in connection with the Jan. 6 Capitol attack, and hundreds of more arrests are still in the works.