A Florida man who was accused of breaching the U.S. Senate chamber during the Jan. 6 insurrection carrying a Trump campaign flag was sentenced to eight months in prison on Monday.
Paul Hodgkins, 38, pleaded guilty last month to one count of obstructing an official proceeding which carries a maximum possible sentence of 20 years in prison.
He was one of the first rioters to strike a plea agreement with prosecutors. In return, prosecutors agreed to drop lesser charges, including entering a restricted building and disorderly conduct and recommended an 18-month prison sentence.
Video from Jan. 6 shows Hodgkins inside the Senate, wearing a Trump 2020 T-shirt, a flag flung over his shoulder and eye goggles around his neck.
In his comments to the court on Monday, Hodgkins apologized for his participation in the riot calling it a “foolish decision.”
“I can say without a shadow of a doubt that I am truly remorseful and regretful for my actions in Washington, D.C., on January 6, 2021,” Hodgkins said according to The Hill. “I say this, not because I face consequences, but because of the damage that day’s actions have caused, the way that this country that I love has been hurt.”
U.S. District Court Judge Randolph Moss said he was encouraged by Hodgkins’ remorse over his participation in the riot during the hearing, but condemned his actions.
“He was staking a claim on the floor of the United States Senate, not with the American flag but with a flag declaring his loyalty to a single individual over the entire nation,” Moss said. “When a mob is prepared to attack the Capitol to prevent elected officials from both parties from performing their constitutional and statutory duty, democracy is in trouble … the damage that they caused that day is way beyond the delays that day. It is a damage that will persist in this country for decades.”
His lawyer pleaded with Judge Moss to spare Hodgkins time in prison, saying the shame that will be attach to him for the rest of his life should be factored in as punishment.
In the end, Hodgkins was sentenced to eight months in prison, 24 months supervised release and $2,000 in restitution. He is now the first Capitol rioter charged with a felony to be sentenced.
