BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Nathan Earl Hughes — who previously pleaded guilty to one count of civil disorder, one count of assaulting, resisting, or impeding an officer, and one count of violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds — was handed his sentence on Dec. 16.
Hughes was sentenced to 25 months in prison with three years of supervised release and a $5,000 fine, according to court records.
FBI officials said in their investigation that Hughes was seen in security footage pushing against Capitol police, removing their riot shields, and passing them back to other rioters.
"As with the nature and circumstances of the offense, this factor supports a sentence of incarceration," documents filed by federal prosecutors say. "Hughes’ criminal conduct on January 6 was the epitome of disrespect for the law."
Federal prosecutors requested Hughes receive over 4 years in prison. Meanwhile, attorneys for Hughes requested he be sentenced to 24 months of probation with 8 months of home confinement. Alternatively, they asked for 8 months of imprisonment if the court deemed incarceration necessary, according to documents filed on Dec. 12.
Attorneys argue Hughes played a limited role in the events on Jan. 6 and pointed to "similar" cases where defendants received lesser sentences than prosecutors recommended.
A federal judge also denied Hughes' request to delay his sentencing due to the "high possibility" of a pardon from President-elect Donald Trump.
The former president has repeatedly vowed to take such actions for defendants charged in connection with the Capitol attack.
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