Headline RoundupJuly 20th, 2021

First Person Charged With Felony In Capitol Breach Case Gets Prison Sentence

Summary from the AllSides News Team

On Monday, Florida resident Paul Hodgkins, 38, became the first person charged with a felony in the Jan. 6 Capitol breach. Last month, Hodgkins pled guilty to obstructing congressional proceedings after he waved a Trump flag and took pictures in the Senate chamber for 15 minutes on Jan. 6. Hodgkins apologized to the court, saying he got caught up in the moment and that it "was a foolish decision." While Hodgkins asked the judge for no prison time, the Justice Department requested a 1.5-year prison term. Hodgkins was sentenced to eight months in prison and ordered to pay a $2,000 fine for causing damage to the building. District Judge Randolph Moss said he would allow Hodgkins some leniency since he was not involved in a violent crime, pled guilty early and gave a "sincere" apology to the court.

The story received wide coverage across the political spectrum. Some outlets from across the spectrum remarked that the judge's decision could set a precedent for the rest of the Jan. 6 cases. 

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