Florida man involved in Capitol riot sentenced to 8 months in prison in closely watched felony case

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A Florida man who was the first to be sentenced for a felony in connection to the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol will serve eight months behind bars, a judge announced Monday. 

The eight-month sentence was less than the 18 months prosecutors sought for Paul Allard Hodgkins, 38, of Tampa, Fla., who pleaded guilty last month to one count of obstructing an official proceeding. 

In reading his decision, U.S. District Judge Randolph Moss cited Hodgkins’ "sincere" statements in court earlier Monday morning, his lack of a previous criminal record, and lack of any leadership role in the mob that stormed the Capitol building on Jan. 6. 

A  man is the first to be sentenced on a felony charge in connection to the Jan. 6 riot at the  – and the judge’s decision Monday on how long, if at all, to keep him behind bars will likely influence hundreds of other defendants considering whether to take plea deals or face trial. 

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The judge had rejected Hodgkins’ request to be classified as a "minor" participant in the riot, noting he "was one of a small number of people who made their way onto the Senate floor." Hodgkins later addressed the court himself, asserting that he believed that Joe Biden was the rightful President of the United States, and that he had come to Washington D.C. on Jan. 6 to see a president he loved, Donald Trump. 

FILE - In this file image from U.S. Capitol Police video, Paul Allard Hodgkins, 38, of Tampa, Fla., front, stands in the well on the floor of the U.S. Senate on Jan. 6, 2021, at the Capitol in Washington. (U.S. Capitol Police via AP, File)

In a recent filing asking for the 18-month sentence, prosecutors said Hodgkins "like each rioter, contributed to the collective threat to democracy" by forcing lawmakers to temporarily abandon their certification of Joe Biden’s election victory and to scramble for shelter from mobs.

A lawyer for Hodgkins had asked the judge not to impose a prison sentence, saying the shame that will attach to Hodgkins for the rest of his life should be factored in as punishment.

"Whatever punishment this court may provide will pale in comparison to the scarlet letter Mr. Hodgkins will wear for the rest of his life," Patrick N. Leduc wrote in a recent filing, citing a Nathaniel Hawthorne novel in which a woman accused of adultery is forced to wear a letter "A."

Hodgkins was never accused of assaulting anyone or damaging property. 

Prosecutors said he deserves some leniency for taking responsibility almost immediately and pleading guilty to the obstruction charge, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, fine of $250,000 or twice the monetary gain or loss of the offense.  

But their filing also noted how he boarded a bus in his hometown of Tampa bound for a Jan. 6 rally hosted by then-President Trump carrying rope, protective goggles and latex gloves in a backpack — saying that demonstrated he came to Washington, D.C. prepared for violence.

Court documents show Hodgkins entered the U.S. Capitol building at approximately 2:50 p.m. on Jan. 6. Around 3 p.m., he entered the Senate chamber, walked among the desks, and then removed eye goggles. He took a "selfie-style" photograph and walked down the Senate well where, a few feet away, several individuals were shouting, praying and cheering using a bullhorn, according to the Department of Justice. 

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Hodgkins walked toward the individuals and remained standing with them while they continued commanding the attention of others. At approximately 3:15 p.m., Hodgkins exited the Senate chamber and the U.S. Capitol Building.