WASHINGTON – A veteran military who stormed into the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, along with the Oathkeepers, was sentenced Friday to 8 1/2 years of federal prison after she apologized for her actions.
Jessica Watkins apologized to U.S. district judge Amit Mehta for her “reprehensible” actions and the negative impact of her conduct on the nation.
She said, “My actions that fateful day and my behavior were wrong and, as I now know, criminal.” “Violence never works.”
Watkins apologized for her behavior on Jan. 6 and recalled her testimony from her trial. She said that she was just “another idiot” who ran around the Capitol.
She said, “I was just another idiot who ran around the Capitol.” “But you hold idiots responsible. Today, this idiot will be held accountable.”
Watkins was sentenced a day after Mehta had sentenced Oath Keepers’ founder Stewart Rhodes, to 18 years federal prison. Kelly Meggs of Florida Oath Keepers received 12 years. A second Oath Keepers defendant is scheduled to be sentenced on Friday afternoon. Additional members of the far right group will also be sentenced in the coming week.
Mehta stated that Watkins’ conduct was not as serious as Rhodes or Meggs but was still serious. She also said that Watkins played a part in bringing other people to Washington, D.C. on January 6.
The judge stated, “Nobody could suggest that you are Stewart Rhodes and I honestly don’t believe you’re Kelly Meggs.” He added that she was much more than a foot soldier.
