(PatriotNewsDaily.com) – A supporter of Donald Trump was sentenced to 12½ years in prison for his involvement in the January 6 attack on the United States Capitol, according to witnesses in the courtroom. The individual, Daniel “D.J.” Rodriguez, pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including inflicting bodily injury on officers using a deadly or dangerous weapon, tampering with proceedings or documents, obstruction of an official proceeding, and felony conspiracy.
Before attending Trump’s rally at the Ellipse near the White House on Jan. 6, Rodriguez expressed his intentions in a Telegram chat associated with the group “PATRIOTS 45 MAGA Gang.” He wrote, “There will be blood” and “Welcome to the revolution.”
During the Capitol assault, Rodriguez participated in violent confrontations, including an attack on Officer Michael Fanone in the lower west tunnel. In a Telegram chat conversation with fellow members of the Patriots 45 MAGA Gang, Rodriguez boasted about his actions, stating, “Omg I did so much f—ing s— [right now] and got away. Tazzed the f— out of the blue.”
United States District Judge Jackson sentenced Rodriguez to 151 months in prison, characterizing him as a “1 man army of hate” who targeted law enforcement officers and caused property damage. Judge Jackson emphasized that Rodriguez bore responsibility for his actions, irrespective of Trump’s false claims about a stolen election. She praised Fanone for his dedication to protecting democracy and identified Rodriguez as one of the most serious offenders on January 6th, stating that he actively called for action in his violent rhetoric following Trump’s electoral loss. The judge also noted that Rodriguez displayed no signs of cognitive or mental impairment and described him as a person of average intelligence.
Prior to his sentencing, Rodriguez delivered a lengthy speech in which he expressed his belief in an imminent civil war and suggested that groups like the Proud Boys and the Oath Keepers formed due to police inaction across the country. However, he did not offer a genuine apology for his actions.
Officer Fanone, in response to Rodriguez’s outburst, expressed his disappointment at the lack of remorse displayed by the defendants. He stated that significant sentences were necessary to prevent similar incidents and referred to those who attacked the Capitol as traitors. Fanone called on the DOJ to indict Trump and any others responsible, regardless of their wealth or political positions, emphasizing that nobody should be above the law.
Federal prosecutors had sought a 14-year prison sentence for Rodriguez, arguing that his conduct amounted to an act of terrorism aimed at impeding the certification of the election results and the peaceful transition of power. Rodriguez’s defense team attributed his actions to the influence of Trump’s false statements and his admiration for the former president.
Rodriguez was initially identified through video analysis by an American living in Germany, Forrest Rogers. Activists who recognized Rodriguez from a protest scene in Beverly Hills, California, confirmed his identity, leading to his subsequent arrest by the FBI.
The case against Rodriguez is one of many resulting from the Jan. 6 Capitol attack. Over 1,000 individuals have faced charges, with nearly 600 having pleaded guilty. Sentences for about 524 defendants who have been sentenced to date have varied widely, ranging from just days to almost two decades in prison.
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