conservative scion Brent | The Independent

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Leo Brent Bozell IV, the scion of a prominent family of conservative activists, was sentenced to 45 months in prison in a federal court in Washington, DC for his role in the January 6 insurrection at the US Capitol.

During the insurrection, Bozell pushed past police, broke a window in the Senate building, chased a Capitol Police officer into the Senate chamber, and entered both then-Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi’s office and the Senate floor , according to prosecutors, while hundreds of Trump. supporters tried to stop the certification of Joe Biden winning the 2020 election.

“Without people like Mr. Bozell, the riot will not happen,” prosecutor Ashley Akers said during the sentencing. “He himself facilitated access to the Capitol building for hundreds of other rioters,” she added.

Judge John D Bates’ sentence was considerably less than the more than 11 years the government had sought in the case.

The federal judge said Friday that the sentence, including a terrorism enhancement requested by prosecutors, did not fit the circumstances of Bozell’s crimes.

“I’m not sure the tag is an appropriate tag for the defendant to carry with him,” he said.

However, the judge condemned the behavior of the 44-year-old man, along with that of other participants on January 6.

“Not for a moment should the rioters of January 6 be considered true patriots,” Judge Bates said. “They are not political prisoners. They are not hostages.”

During Friday’s sentencing hearing, Bozell apologized and said his behavior “has put a stain on my family forever.”

Bozell’s sentence also includes $4,727 in restitution.

The Pennsylvania man was convicted in September of 10 charges.

The January 6 riots marked the latest appearance of the Bozell family name in right-wing history.

Leo Leo Brent Bozell, Jr, the influential book by Barry Goldwater, senator and presidential candidate from Arizona The conscience of a conservativewhile Leo Leo Brent Bozell, III founded the Media Research Center, a group that monitored and criticized the liberal media.