Jan. 6 Rioter Sentenced to 55 Months

Facts

Joshua Pruitt, a 40-year-old Maryland man who has been affiliated with the far-right Proud Boys group, was sentenced on Mon. to 55 months in federal prison for partaking in the US Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021.
He pleaded guilty to obstruction of an official proceeding on June 6. He was caught on video pursuing police officers and destroying a sign inside the Capitol.
He also allegedly encountered Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) before a security detail took the senator to safety.
Sentencing guidelines recommended 51 - 63 months imprisonment, in part due to Pruitt's prior convictions for assaulting a police officer, drunk driving, and cocaine possession. His attorneys asked for a three-year sentence.
Seven other charges - including the destruction of government property and civil disorder - were dropped as part of a deal with prosecutors.
According to his lawyer, Pruitt wasn't a member of the Proud Boys on the day of the Capitol riots but became a member after the events of that day. The lawyer said Pruitt, however, is no longer a member.

Democratic narrative, as provided by New Republic. Most people convicted for their involvement in the Jan. 6 riots are receiving relatively lenient sentences, which allows for truth and reconciliation. But a wider message must still be sent regarding more serious offenders in order to protect democracy in the US.
Pro-Trump narrative, as provided by FOX News. It's absurd to prosecute those who participated in the Jan. 6 protests with such ferocity. The Democrats are the real anti-Americans, demonizing patriotic citizens as "domestic terrorists."