Two more sentenced to prison in Capitol riot

Kenneth Harrelson and Jessica Watkins were convicted by a jury in November of obstructing an official proceeding related to their roles in the Capitol riot.

Members of the Oath Keepers group during the Capitol riots in 2021. Photo: Reuters

U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta sentenced Harrelson to four years in prison Friday. The judge previously sentenced Watkins to eight and a half years in prison.

Harrelson was also convicted of conspiring to prevent members of Congress from certifying Joe Biden's victory in the 2020 election, as well as tampering with documents and proceedings. Watkins was also convicted of conspiracy and obstructing officers during the riot.

However, both were acquitted of conspiracy to commit a riot. Judge Mehta said earlier on Friday that sentencing Watkins was “particularly difficult”. He cited Watkins’ difficulties as a transgender person and her cooperation during the investigation.

A day earlier, Judge Mehta sentenced Oath Keepers leader Stewart Rhodes to 18 years in prison on charges of conspiracy to commit insurrection and using force to overthrow the federal government . This is also the longest sentence given to participants in the Capitol riot to date.

The Oath Keepers, founded in 2009, include former US military personnel, former police officers and others. Four other Oath Keepers are also set to go on trial next week on charges of conspiracy to commit insurrection.

Hoang Nam (according to Reuters)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/them-hai-nguoi-bi-ket-an-tu-trong-vu-bao-loan-dien-capitol-post249329.html