First Individual Charged for Jan. 6 Receives Reduced Sentence Following Supreme Court Ruling
Guy Reffitt was present in court in Washington.
On December 7, the first individual tried for charges stemming from the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol received a slightly reduced sentence following a ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court.
Guy Reffitt, hailing from Texas, was sentenced in Washington by U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich to 80 months in prison, a reduction from the previous sentence of 87 months.
“While we are relieved that the judge dismissed the government’s request to impose the original sentence, we are disappointed that the judge did not lower it further,” stated Clint Broden, Reffitt’s attorney, in an email to The Epoch Times. “It’s important to consider that Mr. Reffitt, unlike many others charged from January 6, did not enter the Capitol, did not cause any property damage, and did not physically attack any law enforcement officers.”
The original sentencing guidelines suggested a range of 87 to 108 months. However, after one felony charge was dropped, the range was adjusted to between 41 and 51 months.
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In court on Friday, Reffitt expressed that he participated in the Capitol breach because he was “caught up in my feelings” and was upset about the “deceit and madness” he perceived.
“I was not there to take over the government,” Reffitt asserted. “I love this country.”
Judge Friedrich replied, “No one disputes your feelings. It’s the actions you took based on those feelings that are in question.”
During the proceedings, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Nestler stated that Reffitt intended “to physically and violently seize Congress.”
On the Capitol grounds, Reffitt was found with zip ties and a holstered handgun. Prosecutors noted that he had a gun and made threats to use it prior to reaching the Capitol, whereas his defense team emphasized that he never removed the gun from its holstered state or assaulted law enforcement.
Additionally, prosecutors claimed that after January 6, Reffitt warned his children not to report him to authorities, stating, “traitors get shot,” while the defense contended that Reffitt “never indicated he would actually harm his children.”
Letters to the court were submitted by Reffitt’s daughters and wife, asking for leniency ahead of his resentencing. However, his son, who has publicly addressed threats made, chose not to write a letter.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
