The oldest of the defendants charged in the January 6 Capitol riot was sentenced to three years of supervised release this week, months after he was reported to the FBI for his involvement in the insurrection.
Gary Wickersham, an 81-year-old Pennsylvania Army veteran, was ordered to pay a $2,000 fine and $500 in restitution for his role in the attack.
According to CNN, the judge commented on the age of the man at the Tuesday hearing, saying that he is the first person he has had that is older than him.
During the hearing, Wickersham apologized for his involvement in the siege.
According to The Philadelphia Inquirer, Wickersham said it was not like him to do that. I regret doing it, it was a dark stain for 81 years. I shouldn't have been there.
He told the defendants he would get some credit for admitting his fault. The judge also sentenced Wickersham to 90 days of home confinement.
An attorney for Wickersham had previously argued against home confinement, telling the judge that it would prevent him from being able to visit his children during his golden years, CNN reported.
An anonymous source brought forth a text message that Wickersham had sent to a different person claiming to be inside the Capitol on January 6.
The criminal complaint said that investigators found photographic and video evidence of Wickersham inside the building.
When investigators first interviewed Wickersham about his involvement in the attack, the Army veteran appeared to show little remorse, telling FBI agents he believed the riot was full of anti- Trump protesters. According to charging documents, Wickersham alleged that Capitol Police officers were prepared to allow the rioters to easily storm the Capitol and be arrested.
According to prosecutors, Wickersham initially argued that he was able to stay inside the Capitol because he paid US taxes. The attorney for Wickersham said his client's comments were poor.
I shouldn't be there. During the hearing, Wickersham said that he shouldn't have been in there, but he didn't remember if he said that or not.
Michael Noone told Insider that his client respects the sentence and is very sorry for his actions.
Noone said that Mr. Wickersham expressed his genuine remorse and accepted responsibility for his actions.
More than 150 people have pleaded guilty to their roles in the Capitol riot.
