Posted on 06/15/2021 2:26:30 AM PDT by Libloather
A Virginia couple on Monday became the third and fourth defendants to plead guilty in the sprawling investigation stemming from the Capitol riot in January.
However, Jessica and Joshua Bustle of Bristow, Va., became the first to plead guilty in federal court who faced only misdemeanor charges as a result of their actions at the Capitol as lawmakers were attempting to certify President Joe Biden’s electoral college victory.
Under a deal with prosecutors, the Bustles each pleaded guilty to one of the four misdemeanor charges they faced: parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building. They could get up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $5,000, but will be spared the potential of back-to-back sentences on multiple counts.
The arrangement could serve as a template for hundreds of other misdemeanor-only cases filed related to the Jan. 6 events. Defense attorneys say it also suggests that prosecutors will not readily agree to more lenient resolutions in Capitol riot cases, such as deferring the case and dismissing it following a period of good behavior.
“There’s no guarantee what the sentence will be in this case,” Judge Thomas Hogan told the Bustles during the afternoon hearing, conducted by videoconference. “I can give a sentence that’s legal up to the maximum in the statute: six months.”
According to a complaint filed by an FBI agent in March, Jessica Bustle posted on her Facebook page on Jan. 6: “Pence is a traitor. We stormed the capital. An unarmed peaceful woman down the hall from us was shot in the neck by cops. It’s insane here….Pray for America!!!!”
In another post, Jessica Bustle - who said she’s opposed to taking the coronavirus vaccine - indicated she and her husband were attending a “health freedom” rally...
(Excerpt) Read more at politico.com ...
The FBI has always been the governments private police force.
You mean they are going after anyone that loves America.
Meanwhile, ANTIFA and BLM get a pass every time.
So they locked them down in solitary confinement for 23 hours a day for 6 months for misdemeanors?
What was their crime. Trespassing...
Seems like this couple had a pitiful attorney. Must have been a court appointed.
Oh well at least they will get time served.
Brah... You cannot get 10 years for Trespassing.
It is a misdemeanor.
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