A military veteran was sentenced Friday to six months in prison for violating his probation, months after being charged in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack, Associated Press reported.
Kevin Loftus, 56, was about to leave the country and join the Russian military in the nearly three-year war against Ukraine. Loftus was arrested in Iowa in October, prosecutors said in testimony. 6 pages of notes It was filed on Wednesday.
he was originally declared He was sentenced to 36 months' probation for “unlawful parading, demonstrating, and picketing” inside the Capitol.
Loftus' plan was to fly to Russia in late October, obtain temporary residence rights, and eventually make contact with the local volunteer corps.
The defendant was boarding a flight from Turkey to Tbilisi, Georgia, on January 6 when a gate agent stopped him after Turkish Airlines spotted a “security flag” associated with him. Then he returned to his residence.
A few days later, Loftus attempted to drive without court permission and was arrested by the FBI in Iowa on Oct. 31, officials said.
“Mr Loftus said his purpose was to travel to Tbilisi where he could secure a 90-day visa to travel to Russia. “Once in Russia, prosecutors said, he planned to apply for temporary residence. To develop these plans, Loftus communicated with the men through the messaging platform Telegram.''
“Mr. Loftus said that once he was actually in Russia, the man would contact the Russian Territorial Defense Forces, a volunteer force used by the Russians in the ongoing war in Ukraine,” they continued. . Let's fight for Russia and against Ukraine. ”
The memo also notes that Loftus was arrested by Texas State Police in late December on suspicion of driving under the influence. The veteran was ordered to attend a substance abuse treatment program.
Since January 6, 2021, nearly four years ago, more than 1,500 people have been charged with crimes related to the Capitol riot.
President-elect Trump has promised to pardon “most” of the January 6 rioters, both during the campaign and since his election victory. He renewed his vow in an interview with Time magazine earlier this week after being named “Person of the Year.”
The Associated Press contributed reporting.
