Derek Jancart and his buddy Erik Rau will spend 45 days in jail for trying to overthrow our government.
Jancart, an Air Force veteran, “brought a gas mask and two-way radio to Washington in preparation for January 6,” CNN says, while Rau “brought Kevlar gloves and medical supplies.” They were insurrectionists, not protesters; they were in a hotel room when they heard the Capitol was breached, and went there to get in on the action; they penetrated as far as Speaker Pelosi’s conference room.
Federal prosecutors, who let them plead guilty to disorderly conduct, asked for 4 months. The judge gave them a tongue-lashing, but went easy with the sentencing, perhaps because they were remorseful: “I feel shame,” Jancart said; Rau told the judge “this has just twisted my stomach.” It ought to; he’s now branded as a criminal, notwithstanding a GOP congressman calling them “tourists” (but prosecutors and judges aren’t having it).
Many non-violent rioters who’ve taken plea deals have gotten probation and fines. But the judge noted that Jancart and Rau “encouraged the violence on January 6 and celebrated the riot afterwards.” Read story here.
They’re lucky this is America, and not China, because there they’d wind up in a forced labor camp or get shot.