“Not defendant Rhodes.”Ī lawyer for Rhodes, who plans to appeal his conviction, said prosecutors are unfairly trying to make Rhodes “the face” of January 6. People “across the political spectrum” want to believe that Jan. In remarks just days ago, Rhodes called for “regime change,” the prosecutor said. Attorney Kathryn Rakoczy pointed to interviews and speeches Rhodes has given from jail repeating the lie 2020 election was stolen and saying it would be again in 2024. Prosecutors argued that a lengthy sentence is necessary to deter future political violence. District Judge Amit Mehta agreed with prosecutors to apply enhanced penalties for “terrorism,” under the argument that the Oath Keepers sought to influence the government through “intimidation or coercion.” Judges in previous sentencings had shot down the Justice Department’s request for the so-called “terrorism enhancement” - which can lead to a longer prison term - but Mehta said it fits in Rhodes’ case. “I’m a political prisoner and like President Trump my only crime is opposing those who are destroying our country,” Rhodes said. In remarks shortly before the judge handed down the sentence, Rhodes slammed the prosecution as politically motivated, noted that he never went inside the Capitol and insisted he never told anyone else to do so. Prosecutors had sought 25 years for Rhodes, who they say was the architect of a plot to forcibly disrupt the transfer of presidential power that included “quick reaction force” teams at a Virginia hotel to ferry weapons into D.C.
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