An Arkansas man who stormed the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, and was photographed sitting on a desk in House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s office was found guilty Monday of eight counts related to the attacks.
Richard “Bigo” Barnett, now 62, who left a rude message to Pelosi before leaving the office with an envelope bearing the California Democrat’s digital signature, sat impassive as the US District Court in Washington handed down its verdicts.
After nine days of testimony and legal rulings in the case, the panel began deliberations Monday morning and reached verdicts on the eight counts Barnett pleaded not guilty to, including four counts, in less than two hours.
The most serious charge he faced, obstruction of justice, carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. But the sentencing counsel used by the court is likely to make a long time in his case.
Although prosecutors said Barnett should be held in jail pending sentencing, Judge Christopher R. Cooper allowed him to remain in jail in his Ozarks hometown.
Barnett, an ardent supporter of former President Donald Trump, was carrying a cane with a powerful electronic device as he entered the Capitol. Congress met on the same day to confirm President Biden’s victory in the November election, although Trump denied claims that he was denied re-election due to massive voter fraud.
In addition to obstructing government officials, Barnett was charged with two counts of carrying a deadly weapon in the Capitol and one count of disorderly conduct. The four offenses he was found guilty of included theft of government property, namely an envelope.
