A retired New Jersey State Police trooper, aged 61, who participated in the storming of the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, with a group of Donald Trump supporters, has been sentenced to probation instead of prison. The individual, captured on video yelling and making offensive gestures near police officers guarding the Capitol, expressed remorse for his actions during the attack.
Before U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta, the trooper was sentenced to two years of probation, including 30 days of home confinement with electronic monitoring, and ordered to pay a $2,500 fine. Prosecutors had initially recommended an 11-month prison term for the defendant.
The sentencing marked a significant milestone as the number of Capitol riot cases surpassed 1,000, with over 1,500 individuals facing federal charges related to the events of January 6. Of those charged, at least 647 have been convicted, with sentences ranging from a few days to 22 years. Additionally, more than 200 individuals have been sentenced to various forms of home confinement.
The trooper, who served as a New Jersey State Police officer for 26 years, was convicted of misdemeanor charges by Judge Mehta following a trial without a jury. While acquitted of two felony counts, the judge emphasized that the defendant should have known better given his law enforcement background.
Despite not engaging in physical violence or causing damage at the Capitol, the trooper was criticized for contributing to the violent mob's actions. Prosecutors highlighted his statements during an FBI interview, where he referred to the events of January 6 as a 'set up' and blamed law enforcement for the chaos, despite his own experience in the field.
Defense counsel argued against incarceration, citing the trooper's regret and characterizing his actions as poor judgment rather than malicious intent. The attorney contended that imprisoning the defendant would be an unnecessary burden on taxpayers.
The trooper, who attended the rally near the White House on January 6 before joining the mob at the Capitol, spent approximately six minutes inside the building. Judge Mehta underscored the individual's moral responsibility for participating in the breach of the Capitol, despite not committing violent acts personally.
