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?”

    • @[email protected]
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      fedilink
      163 months ago

      Getting caught with 10 grams of blow is, of course, way worse than being a front figure in an attempt to overthrow the government. /s

      Don’t smuggle drugs kids, but attempts to take over the country can be made at your leisure.

    • @ryathal
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      43 months ago

      Prosecutors chose not to charge him with sedition. Blame them for being cowards.