Convicted Jan. 6 Rioter Sentenced to Over Seven Years in Prison
NEW YORK — In a scathing rebuke, a federal judge on Wednesday condemned a convicted Jan. 6 rioter for downplaying the severity of the US Capitol attack, likening his revisionist rhetoric to that often used by former President Donald Trump on the campaign trail.
The judge, US District Judge Royce Lamberth, emphasized the importance of not normalizing the events of Jan. 6, stating, “This cannot become normal… We cannot condone the normalization of the Jan. 6 US Capitol riot,” as he handed down a sentence of more than seven years to Taylor James Johnatakis.
Lamberth warned of a dangerous precedent if Americans resort to vigilantism and anarchy in response to future election outcomes, referencing the events of Jan. 6 as an example of the potential consequences. He did not mention Trump by name but drew clear comparisons to the former president’s rhetoric.
Following Johnatakis’ conviction in November, he adopted a similar tone to Trump in interviews, downplaying the seriousness of the insurrection and referring to the DC jail as a “gulag.”
The judge emphasized that the Jan. 6 riot was not an act of civil disobedience but a destructive and unpatriotic assault on the nation’s institutions. He cited historical figures like Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and Henry David Thoreau as examples of peaceful civil disobedience.
Johnatakis briefly expressed remorse during the sentencing, acknowledging his actions and asking questions aligned with Sovereign Citizen conspiracy theories. Lamberth dismissed these inquiries as nonsensical.
Johnatakis was convicted of seven crimes, including assaulting a police officer and obstructing congressional proceedings. He has been in jail since his conviction in November.
Evidence presented at trial revealed Johnatakis’ involvement in inciting the mob on Jan. 6, leading the charge to breach the Capitol police line with a metal barricade. Prosecutors argued for a longer sentence due to his lack of remorse.
In a recent interview, Johnatakis continued to defend his actions, claiming they did nothing wrong on Jan. 6 and decrying the perceived injustice faced by Capitol riot defendants.
Ultimately, the judge emphasized that there is no place in the country for political violence, underscoring the seriousness of the events that transpired on Jan. 6. — CNN
