A U.S. District Court judge announced on Thursday that a participant in the January 6, 2021, riots at the U.S. Capitol has been sentenced to up to five years in prison and fined $200,000. The individual was accused of assaulting police officers with pepper spray and attempting to incite further violence.
Ryan Nichols admitted his guilt last autumn to a felony charge of obstructing justice in the January 6th case. He also pleaded guilty to a felony charge of assaulting Capitol police officers while they were carrying out their duties.
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According to U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth, who handed down the sentence to Nichols on Thursday, the defendant’s apology seems genuine. However, the judge acknowledged that Nichols had made intense remarks that were recorded, expressing his desire for further acts of violence in the future.
Nichols, a resident of Longview, Texas, has been a devoted supporter of former President Donald Trump for many years.
In a video played in the courtroom before his sentencing, Ryan Nichols made his stance clear, stating, “So if you want to know where I stand, I stand for violence. You need to get your weapons.”
Nichols garnered attention from Ellen DeGeneres, a popular daytime TV show host, for his commendable efforts in providing relief during hurricanes. However, the video reveals that instead of utilizing his newfound fame and the resources generously bestowed upon him by DeGeneres for genuine humanitarian work, Nichols misused them to support his insurrectionist agenda.
Nichols’ attorneys claimed that he was not behaving in his usual manner during the January 6 riot because he had not been taking his prescribed medications. They argued that Nichols, a Marine Corps veteran suffering from PTSD, should be released considering these circumstances, along with the fact that he has already spent three years in confinement.
Officials have stated that the $200,000 fine imposed on Nichols in connection with the Capitol riots is the highest amount yet. This decision was reached because Nichols declined to participate in a financial analysis, and there is no evidence to suggest that he is unable to pay the fine.
Nichols and his family have managed to raise $235,000 through a crowdfunding account. The defendant’s attorney has confirmed that they intend to appeal the imposed fine.
According to court documents, Nichols and his friend Alex Kirk Harkrider, 36, embarked on a journey fueled by an unfounded belief that the 2020 presidential election had been “stolen.”
Leading up to their road trip to Washington, D.C., the two were exchanging text messages discussing different types of body armor and weapons. They were actively planning and organizing the trip, as revealed by prosecutors.
According to court documents, Nichols informed Harkrider in a text message that he and his father were constructing a gun container in their truck. He also mentioned that he had information suggesting that Washington could potentially become a warzone, with a high likelihood of an actual battle taking place.
In January, Harkrider was convicted of several charges, including civil disorder, obstruction of a civil proceeding, assault, resisting arrest, and theft of government property.
Federal officials have been charging rioters since 2021, with individuals in every state being charged, according to the U.S. Justice Department.
According to an analysis by the department, charges have been filed against over 1,265 defendants in almost all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
