During a sentencing hearing in Washington, D.C. on Friday, U.S. District Judge Reggie Walton erupted at a Capitol riot defendant on Friday after the individual pleaded guilty in connection with his role in the Jan. 6 insurrection.
“You’ve disgraced this country in the eyes of the world, and my inclination is to lock you up,” Walton told defendant Anthony Mariotto of Florida, according to Politico. “To see someone destroy, or try to destroy, the Capitol is very troubling to me.”
Mariotto was facing five charges in connection with the riot in which supporters of former President Trump breached the Capitol in an effort to block Congress from ratifying President Biden’s electoral victory. Mariotto pleaded not guilty to all charges in April.
According to an FBI affidavit, Mariotto posted a photo on Facebook of himself in the Senate gallery. A person who knew Mariotto saved a screenshot of the post and shared it with law enforcement before Mariotto’s Facebook page was deleted.
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According to the outlet, Walton lashed out during discussions about detaining Mariotto before pending sentencing.
Walton, an appointee of former President George W. Bush, expressed fears that the riot set a precedent for future unrest around elections.
“What if the next time around, the Democrats lose the presidency and start a riot?” Walton asked. “I guess you think that would be all right in light of what you did, right?”
Under Friday’s agreement, prosecutors dismissed four other charges against Mariotto, Politico reported. He faces up to six months in prison.
