The Arkansas man who was photograph in Nancy Pelosi’s office on Jan. 6, 20,21 with his feet resting on the desk was sentenced to four and half years of prison on Wednesday.
Federal prosecutors asked the judge for a sentence of more than seven-years to Richard “Bigo Barnett” in relation to his actions prior to, during and following the riot on the U.S. Capitol.
In a court document, they noted that a photo of Barnett smiling in Pelosi’s office was “one of most famous images that day and symbolised the rioters taking control of both this sacred space and the country’s political process.”
Barnett’s attorneys had argued that he should not spend more than six months in prison. Barnett, a 63-year old retired firefighter from rural Arkansas and bull rider who was in DC peacefully protesting for the first time, got caught up in events that made an ordinary Wednesday forever known as “January 6,” according to his lawyers.
U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper disagreed and sentenced him to 54-months in prison.
Richard “Bigo” Barnett outside the courthouse in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 10, 2023.
Win McNamee / Getty Images file
Barnett was found guilty in January of eight charges related to the Capitol attack. These included theft of government property, entering and remaining on restricted grounds or buildings with a deadly weapon, and theft.
Barnett was a symbol of the riots when he appeared in the photograph , reclining in the chairin Pelosi’s office with his legs propped up and what the Government called a “stun device” tucked into his pants. Barnett left Pelosi’s office with an envelope, which he then displayed to cameras outside the Capitol.
He acknowledged that he left what he called later a “nasty” note for Pelosi. The note read “Nancy, Bigo” and included a sexist epithet to refer to Pelosi.
Barnett showed regret for his actions as he stood in his own defence. Barnett admitted to jurors that he should not have placed his feet on the desk. Barnett said that he thought the incident was funny at first, but on reflection it now seems “crass.”
He claimed that after he had been convicted he was a victim of “political persecution” and that the jury which convicted him “was not a jury of peers.”
In court filings, prosecutors rebutted Barnett’s claim that he was unintentionally caught up in the Capitol riot crowd. They said that it was evident that Barnett came to Washington, D.C., on that day, looking for a fight.
“Barnett knew the importance of January 6, 2021. He was convinced that President-Elect Biden would lead the United States into communist hands and was ready to do “whatever it took” (as he stated on social media) to stop that. This included occupying Capitol Hill.
“He prepared himself for this violence by arming a stun gadget and a 10-pound steel pole capable of inflicting severe bodily injuries.” The filing states that he then traveled to Washington, D.C., armed with these weapons. He only left the Capitol after being sprayed by chemical spray, and then boasted about his actions to journalists.
Prosecutors said that after his arrest “Barnett tried to profit from his notoriety, criminal conduct, and by selling autographed photos of himself at Pelosi’s office.” Prosecutors said that Barnett has continued to tweet “disinformation” about the attack on Jan. 6, and conspiracy theories since his conviction.
The statement showed “his lack of remorse” and that he would engage in similar behavior in the future.
Dareh Gregorian and Ryan J. Reilly reported from New York. Daniel Barnes and Daniel Barnes reported in Washington.
