Former Police Chief Sentenced for Capitol Siege Role, Carrying of Hatchet and Other Weapons
Former California police chief, Alan Hostetter, who brought a hatchet to the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, has been sentenced to more than 11 years in prison for his role in the siege. During his sentencing hearing Thursday, he spewed conspiracy theories, @MacFarlaneNews reports. pic.twitter.com/WecdElKrVm
— CBS News (@CBSNews) December 8, 2023
Takeaways:
- Former California police chief Alan Hostetter has received a sentence of over 11 years for his involvement in the Capitol siege on January 6, 2021. Convicted on multiple felony charges, including conspiracy, Hostetter drove from California to Washington, D.C., with a vehicle loaded with weapons such as a hatchet, knives, stun batons, and pepper spray. He participated in the White House Ellipse rally before joining a group that breached police lines at the Capitol.
- Throughout his trial and sentencing hearing, Hostetter promoted conspiracy theories, alleging that the 2020 election was stolen and that the January 6 incident was a “false flag” operation orchestrated by the federal government.
- Judge Royce Lamberth, responsible for finding Hostetter guilty, issued one of the lengthiest sentences among the approximately 1,200 cases linked to January 6. Lamberth emphasized that the First Amendment does not grant the right to obstruct, impede, or bring weapons into restricted areas.
- Hostetter is set to begin his federal prison term in early January and intends to appeal his conviction. Additionally, he made controversial statements questioning the circumstances of Ashli Babbitt’s death, a member of the mob fatally shot by police, expressing disbelief in the authenticity of her killing.
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