Man Who Stormed Capitol as Princeton Student Gets 2-Month Prison Term

A 22-year old New Jersey man received a two-month prison sentence on Wednesday. He was convicted of taking part in the January 6, 2021 storming of the U.S. Capitol by a mob loyalist to the former president Donald J. Trump.

The man

Larry F. Giberson Jr.

According to court records, Giberson pleaded guilty to civil disorder in July after being charged by federal prosecutors with this crime and other misdemeanors. According to an affidavit of a federal agent, during the riot Mr. Giberson encouraged others to use weapons and pepper spray against police officers protecting a tunnel. He also tried to start, but failed, a chant "Drag them out!" Among other actions.

Court records indicate that the misdemeanors have been dismissed as part Mr. Giberson’s plea agreement. The court records show that he was sentenced to six-months of home detention with supervised release.

Larry Giberson

Credit...

Through FBI

Mr. Giberson of Manahawkin in New Jersey expressed regret before being sentenced for his "careless and thoughtless" actions.

The Associated Press reported

.

According to The A.P., he stated, "I don't think my defining moment happened there on the Lower West Terrace." He was referring to a section of the Capitol that he had just entered. "Instead, I think my defining moment now is standing in front of you."

The judge, Carl J. Nichols, was appointed by President Trump to the federal bench. The A.P. reported that Judge Nichols described Mr. Giberson’s actions as'reprehensible.' He also said the two-month term was a 'break'. reported.

The judge stated, "I believe that his expressions are honest and sincere, both in general and today." "That's very important to me."

The maximum penalty for civil disorder in the United States is five years. In court documents, prosecutors had requested a sentence of 11 months in prison to be followed up by three years under supervision. The office declined comment on the sentence of Mr. Giberson.

Charles Burnham had asked Mr. Giberson’s lawyer for a sentence without prison time or supervision. Mr. Burnham didn't immediately respond to an inquiry for comment.

In a court document, Mr. Burnham stated that Mr. Giberson received his Princeton degree in May.

The Daily Princetonian is a student paper that reported

In July, Mr. Giberson earned a Bachelor's Degree in Politics and Certificates in Values and Public Life and French.

As a result, it is not clear whether Princeton has taken any action against Giberson. On Wednesday, a university spokesperson did not reply to an email.

Mr. Giberson was one of over 1,100 people charged with crimes stemming the Capitol Riot, as an ongoing investigation continues.

According to the Justice Department

More than 400 people have been charged for assaulting or impeding authorities of law enforcement.

According to an affidavit submitted by a federal officer, he was part of a group of rioters that pushed against officers who were defending the Capitol on Lower West Terrace at the tunnel entrance. The affidavit states that with Mr. Giberson in the lead, an officer was briefly crushed by the rioters between them and the tunnel entrance.

Court records reveal that Mr. Giberson traveled to Washington, D.C. with his mother on the day of the rally to protest the imminent certification by Congress of President Biden's victory in the 2020 elections.

In a court document, Mr. Burnham wrote that Mr. Giberson was not motivated to travel to Washington by'membership of radical groups' or belief in "online conspiracy theories."

Mr. Burnham instead wrote that Mr. Giberson'studied issues surrounding the 2020 elections and concluded state actors have interfered with electoral processes in unconstitutional way'.

Court records indicate that Mr. Giberson's mother and him became separated on their way from the rally to the Capitol. The federal agent's affidavit states that after entering the tunnel, Giberson joined the push against officers and then waved in other rioters and participated in a second round shoving.

The affidavit states that Mr. Giberson was seen on publicly available video footage wearing blue 'Make America Great Again" cap and a Trump Flag around his neck, and climbing towards the tunnel entrance.

The affidavit states that federal investigators were able to match a photograph of Mr. Giberson taken on the day of rioting with images posted online, including the Princeton website and photos of his high school. He was arrested in march.

His mother has not been charged with anything in relation to the Capitol Riot.