Lock Up Those Thugs; Florida Man Becomes First Capitol Rioter To Receive Jail Time

A Florida thug who stormed the Capitol during the deadly January riot has just received eight months in prison.

Paul Hodgkins of Tampa pleaded guilty to obstruction of an official proceeding. During the Capitol riots, the 38-year-old was photographed spending about fifteen minutes inside of the Senate chamber. The Trump supporter was seen taking photos and holding up a Trump flag.

Patrick Leduc, the attorney representing Hodgkins, called his client’s role in the riot “minimal” and requested no time behind bars.

Hodgkins, who has no previous criminal record, argued that he should not receive jail time because he had no intentions of going into the Capitol building despite making the trip from Florida to Washington. He claims that he simply got caught up in the march. He even stated that he apologized to Capitol police officers for the commotion and rendered aid to an injured rioter. However, District Judge Randolph Moss disagreed with the man’s pleas, stating that Hodgkins “actively and intentionally participated in an event that threatened not only the security of the Capitol but democracy itself.”

The crane operator acknowledged his participation in the madness as a “foolish decision” that he takes “full responsibility for.”

As part of his sentence, Hodgkins was ordered to pay $2,000 in restitution for damage to the building.