“Richard “Bigo” Barnett Sentenced to 4.5 Years for Storming of Congress on January 6, 2021″

Leaning back and with his legs on the table, Richard “Bigo” Barnett (63) allowed himself to be photographed behind Nancy Pelosi’s desk during the congressional storming. In court he had to sit straight.

The images of Richard “Bigo” Barnett from the Congress storming on January 6, 2021 went around the world. The verdict came on Wednesday, and Barnett received 4.5 years in prison.

In the trial in January, he is said to have expressed that he regretted it.

– Because of all the controversies. I probably shouldn’t have my legs on the table. And then I regret the language, he stated during the trial according to The Washington Post.

The latter is a reference to a signed message Barnett left for Nancy Pelosi – who was then the leader of the House of Representatives, so-called “speaker”:

«Nancy, Bigo was here, bi-otch» he wrote according to Politico.

Barnett’s lawyers argued in court that he should not get more than six months in prison, reports NBC News. Judge Christopher Cooper disagreed.

The defenders pointed out that he was, among other things, a retired firefighter, and claimed that he was in Washington DC for the very first time to participate in peaceful protests. But according to the defenders, he was carried away when the congress was stormed.

The prosecutor, on the other hand, argued that Barnett was very aware of what he was involved in.

– He believed that the USA was going to be taken over by communists if Joe Biden became president, and was prepared to do “whatever it takes” – which he also expressed on social media about. That includes occupying the congressional building, the prosecutor argued NBC.

– He was prepared for violence. He had armed himself with an electric shock weapon and a steel rod – and with both weapons can cause great damage, writes the prosecutor in his post.

According to the prosecutor, Barnett tried to make money from the case after the arrest, reports NBC. And indicates that he allegedly tried to sell signed photos of himself behind Nancy Pelosi’s desk.