A man who stormed the Senate chamber carrying a Trump flag during the January 6 Capitol riot has pleaded guilty.
Paul Hodgkins, a 38-year-old crane operator from Florida initially faced a five-count indictment that included obstructing an official proceeding, entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, and disorderly conduct in a Capitol building, according to a CBS report.
He pleaded guilty to just one count of obstructing an official proceeding, with his remaining four charges dismissed. That charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment, but with his plea agreement, Hodgkins faces a recommended sentence of between 15 and 21 months.
Hodgkins also agreed to pay $2,000 in restitution. He is scheduled to be sentenced on July 19 at 10 a.m.
Hodgkins was arrested on February 16 when a long lost associate identified him in a photo he posted to Parler of himself on the Senate floor wearing a “Trump 2020” shirt and waving a Trump flag.
“Hodgkins entered the Senate chamber, walked among the desks, and then removed eye goggles. He took a ‘selfie-style’ photograph with his cell phone and walked down the Senate well where, a few feet away, several individuals were shouting, praying and cheering using a bullhorn. Hodgkins walked toward the individuals and remained standing with them while they continued commanding the attention of others,” the DOJ said in the statement.
Hodgkins is the second Capitol rioter of the more than 400 arrested to plead guilty. His attorney, Patrick Leduc, is hoping that will work in his favor.
“There is something to be said about being the first person to stand up,” he said, and added that he hoped the judge would consider his client’s character beyond the events of January 6, CBS reports.
Jon Schaffer, a member of the Oath Keepers was the first Capitol riot defendant to enter into a plea agreement with the government in exchange for a chance at a lower recommended sentence.
