The most severe sentence for a Capitol riot-related case so far was given to a former Virginia police officer who was sentenced to more than seven years in federal prison for his role in the January 6 riot.
A group of Trump supporters storm the Capitol.
A federal judge sentenced Thomas Robertson to 87 months in prison, about four months after he was convicted of obstruction of Congress, entering a restricted area with a dangerous weapon, and four other counts.
The Department of Justice wanted Robertson to be sentenced to 96 months, while Robertson's attorneys wanted 15 months.
According to prosecutors, Robertson entered the Capitol during the January 6 riot wielding a wooden stick and confronted local police officers outside.
Robertson insisted at trial that he used the wooden stick to walk and only entered the Capitol building to find Jacob Fracker, an off-duty Virginia cop.
Forbes reached out to Robertson's lawyer.
Next week, Fracker is going to be sentenced. He cooperated with the government and testified at Robertson's trial, which led prosecutors to recommend six months of supervised release.
Robertson was released from jail after his January 2021 arrest, but a judge ordered him to remain in jail after prosecutors said he ordered more than 30 guns off the internet.
Guy Reffitt, a Texan accused of bringing a semiautomatic pistol and zip ties to the riot, was sentenced earlier this month to 87 months in prison. More than 800 people have been arrested and charged for January 6 crimes. Some of the alleged rioters have turned out to be police officers.
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