Four members of the “Three Percenter” militia, implicated in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, have been handed down prison sentences ranging from 21 to 33 months.
Erik Scott Warner, Felipe Antonio Martinez, Derek Kinnison, and Ronald Mele, all from California, were each found guilty of felony obstruction of an official proceeding among other charges. Their convictions stem from their participation in the violent breach of the Capitol.
Testimony during the trial revealed that the group used a Telegram chat dubbed “The California Patriots — DC Brigade” to organize and bring weapons to Washington, D.C., including a shotgun kept in their car and handguns illegally stored in a hotel room. The gravity of their actions was articulated by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony Mariano, who emphasized the need for sentences that “consider January 6, 2025, 2029, 2033, and so on,” highlighting the long-term implications of January 6th as a precedent for future electoral processes.
Despite the prosecution’s request for sentences between 6.5 and 8 years, U.S. District Court Judge Royce Lamberth opted for lower sentences within the guidelines range. Warner received 27 months, while Martinez received 21 months. Both Kinnison and Mele received the longest terms of 33 months each.
During their sentencing, each of the men expressed contrition for their actions. Warner admitted he “got caught up” and apologized to his family, while Martinez vowed that the court would “never see me back here.” Kinnison spoke of his Christian faith and his repentance, and Mele distanced himself from politics, admitting the experience had “opened my eyes” and acknowledging the “asinine” nature of the events of Jan. 6. Despite these statements, the severity of their actions was not overlooked, as prosecutors pointed out Mele’s later awarding of a “Capitol Action Badge” to his co-conspirators.
The group’s convictions come amidst a wave of legal repercussions for the events of January 6th. To date, over 1,387 individuals have been charged, with more than 984 convictions. The sentences issued to the Three Percenters add to the more than 520 individuals sentenced to incarceration, ranging from days to 22 years in federal prison.
Relevant articles:
– Judge locks up ‘Three Percenter’ militia members in Jan. 6 obstruction case,NBC News, 04/21/2024
– 4 Southern California men sentenced to federal prison for Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol riot, CBS Los Angeles, Fri, 19 Apr 2024 23:13:06 GMT
– ‘Three Percenters’ get prison time for Jan. 6 riots, Law & Crime, Sat, 20 Apr 2024 01:14:00 GMT
– 4 Inland men sentenced to prison for roles in Jan. 6 Capitol riot, Long Beach Press Telegram, Fri, 19 Apr 2024 23:56:38 GMT