A Washington state man who used a megaphone to orchestrate a mob’s attack on police officers guarding the U.S. Capitol was sentenced on Wednesday to more than seven years in prison.
U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth said videos captured Taylor James Johnatakis playing a leadership role during the Jan. 6, 2021, riot. Johnatakis led other rioters on a charge against a police line, “barked commands” over his megaphone and shouted step-by-step directions for overpowering officers, the judge said.
“In any angry mob, there are leaders and there are followers. Mr. Johnatakis was a leader. He knew what he was doing that day,” the judge said before sentencing him to seven years and three months behind bars.
Johnatakis, who represented himself with an attorney on standby, has repeatedly expressed rhetoric that appears to be inspired by the anti-government “ sovereign citizen ” movement. He asked the judge questions at his sentencing, including, “Does the record reflect that I repent in my sins?”
A planned organized attack on the police, in a situation where officers were actually harmed and even killed, in an attempt to overthrow the legally elected government.
And he gets off with only 7 years? Sounds cheap to me. I wonder why USA hasn’t more coup attempts, when the leaders get off that cheap?
Good thing for him he didn’t vote while on probation! Because that shit is for sure a serious attack on democracy! And must be punished HARD.
That woman recently had her case dropped.
Yes after posting bail originally, and having it hanging over her head for 7 years. And it doesn’t change the fact that some judge found it fitting to judge her to 5 years for something that should be her right in a democracy.
At least it was corrected, but it was an insane sentence, that should never have been allowed to stand for 7 years.
Incidentally she was on probation for cheating on her taxes, but Trump is still considered eligible for President, despite also cheating on his taxes.
These MAGA idiots all get off easy.