Thread by @JordanOnRecord

Happening now: Sentencing hearing for Anthony Mariotto, of Florida. DOJ says Mariotto was part of and filmed a crowd that charged through police as they yelled, "Hands up don't shoot!" and "I can't breathe!" #CapitolRiot

Prosecutors play a video of rioters, including Mariotto, walking through the Capitol banging on doors and trying to open them. Says we know there were staffers at the time hiding from the rioters. "What would have happened if they'd found someone?"

DOJ says it's "particularly concerning" to the government that Mariotto was part of the crowd that went around banging on doors and yelling "Where are the traitors!?" Mariotto eventually made it into the Senate Gallery.

"Your honor, Mr. Mariotto's conduct that day is some of the most egregious we've seen with regards to people just charged with misdemeanors," DOJ says. That's why they're asking for him to serve 4 months in jail.

Anthony Mariotto's attorney says as a result of his arrest in the #CapitolRiot, he lost more than $300,000 in salary in bonuses from his job. He said that's "more than 15% of his usual salary." Easily one of the wealthiest people who stormed the Capitol on January 6.

Mariotto's attorney says he's "as close to zero as anybody could be for reoffending." Also says putting him in jail puts his employment and his company at risk. He works in commodities trading.

Mariotto's attorney suggests probation and a $5,000 fine would be a more appropriate punishment than jail time.

"Actions speak louder than words, but words, unfortunately, are why the events of January 6 occurred. Because someone wasn't willing to be a gracious loser," Judge Walton says.

Judge Walton says he has to consider the corrections staff and other inmates he would be putting at risk if he sent Anthony Mariotto, who is unvaccinated, to jail. "Obviously he shouldn't get a benefit for not being willing to protect himself and other people..."

DOJ: "The fact of the matter is, Mr. Mariotto has chosen not to vaccinate himself. Every time he's on the street he's exposing other people."

Anthony Mariotto steps up to the mic. Starts to take off his mask, but Judge Walton reminds him he's unvaccinated. He then apologizes and loudly coughs. "I'm nervous, your honor."

"I'm Italian, your honor. I trash talk," Mariotto offers as an explanation for the things he can be heard saying on January 6. "I got caught up and I ran my mouth."

"I'm hoping that now the rule of law and equal justice kicks in," Mariotto says. "That's really all we have left in this country: the rule of law."

"I wish everybody would come together. We're so divided in this country," Mariotto says. "Vaccines. Masks." (He's unvaccinated.)

Judge Walton repeats himself from Mariotto's plea hearing. Says January 6 has undermined the credibility of America in the world community. Says it's going to affect his ability to teach about democracy around the world.

Mariotto says on January 6 he "really believed" the election was stolen. Now he's "questioning myself." Doesn't go as far as saying the election wasn't stolen. Says if Trump thought it was going to be stolen, he should have had "everything in place."

"What people did on January 6 was not patriotic. It was anything but patriotic," Judge Walton says.

"There has to be a cost, otherwise, why not do it again?" Judge Walton says.

Judge Walton says "despite my inclination" he's not going to sentence Anthony Mariotto to jail time.

🚨 SENTENCE: U.S. District Judge Reggie Walton sentences Anthony Mariotto, of Florida, to 36 months of probation + a $5,000 fine and 250 hours of community service for one count of parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building. #CapitolRiot @wusa9 @EricFlackTV