Capitol rioter shocks judge with “ridiculous” sentencing statements

Capitol rioter Tristan Stevens made some “fairly surprising statements” in courtroom Friday as he confronted sentencing for his involvement within the assault of January 6, 2021.

Stevens, 27, was discovered guilty on 9 counts—together with 5 felonies—in September 2022 for “assaulting or aiding and abetting in assaulting regulation enforcement” throughout the siege waged in Washington, D.C., by supporters of then-President Donald Trump. The native of Pensacola, Florida, appeared earlier than U.S. District Choose Trevor McFadden, a Trump-appointed decide, and was sentenced to 5 years in jail.

In line with the Division of Justice, Stevens was a part of a mob that tried to enter the Capitol by means of the Decrease West Terrace on January 6, clashing with regulation enforcement. The Florida man was convicted of assaulting former U.S. Capitol Police Sergeant Aquilino Gonell with a stolen riot defend within the battle, reported WUSA, in addition to aiding within the assault of a number of different officers.

Previous to receiving his sentencing order, Stevens spat out a slew of conspiracy theories earlier than the courtroom, together with that January 6 was an “entrapment operation” by the federal authorities to cowl up the fraudulent 2020 presidential election.

McFadden, nonetheless, mentioned that Stevens’ claims have been “fairly surprising statements,” including that “it is ridiculous to counsel there was some type of entrapment that triggered you to do what you probably did.”

“You battled these officers,” the decide continued, in accordance with WUSA’s report. “You selected to do what you probably did.”

Stevens additionally claimed throughout his sentencing that Dr. Anthony Fauci had launched a “bioweapon” to influence the presidential election, and mentioned he went to the Capitol “due to the Biden laptop computer,” reported CBS Information correspondent Scott MacFarlane.

In line with court documents, Stevens had beforehand pleaded not responsible to all prices.

Gonell, who has medically retired from the police drive as a result of accidents sustained on January 6, additionally gave a sufferer influence assertion throughout the trial, reported WUSA, saying that Stevens’ actions “compelled” him into retirement.

Stevens did problem a quick apology for Gonell throughout his rant Friday, saying that he “did not imply to make Gonell really feel pissed off and ineffective.” As WUSA famous, nonetheless, Stevens didn’t pronounce Gonell’s identify accurately.

McFadden mentioned Stevens’ speech lacked regret and informed the defendant that his actions throughout the January 6 riots have been “among the many most embarrassing,” reported ABC’s MacFarlane.

“Any American of excellent conscience needs to be outraged by your therapy of those officers,” McFadden added.

McFadden additionally presided over the sentencing of David Mehaffie, 63, of Kettering, Ohio, final month for prices associated to the assault on the Capitol. Prosecutors mentioned Mehaffie had traveled with Stevens to Washington, D.C., alongside 25-year-old Patrick McCaughey of Ridgefield, Connecticut.

Mehaffie was sentenced to 14 months in jail. McCaughey is scheduled to be sentenced subsequent month, reported WUSA.

Greater than 1,000 individuals have been arrested in relation to the January 6 assault. As of Friday, the Division of Justice reported that greater than 320 had been charged with “assaulting or impeding regulation enforcement.”