Washington, D.C. District Court Judge Christopher Cooper said Robertson’s behavior after the riot was the most “impressive and concerning” part of the case before handing down his sentence.
“You think partisan politics is war. You keep believing in conspiracy theories,” Cooper told Robertson, adding, “If you’re asked to do something like this again, you’re a call to duty.” I sincerely believe that we will comply,” he added.
In a text to a friend in March 2021, Robertson, a former sergeant with the Rocky Mount Police Department in Virginia, wrote that he could “kill every agent they sent” and “become a political prisoner.” I assure you that I will never surrender to
Robertson is one of more than a dozen Jan. 6 defendants who have so far opted to bring the case to trial instead of entering into a plea bargain.
Robertson’s substantive sentencing, along with those handed down to Reffitt, may prompt the Jan. 6 defendants, who are looking to go to trial, to accept a Justice Department plea bargain instead. Only one accused mobster was acquitted of all charges.
Cooper said Robertson, who wore an orange prison jumpsuit, chose to go to court and did not admit responsibility for his actions.
“It’s your choice,” said Cooper. “But this is the result of that choice.”
Robertson was found guilty in April by a Washington, D.C. jury on all six charges he faced, including felony obstruction of law enforcement officers, obstruction of official process, and tampering with evidence.
During his trial, prosecutors detailed Robertson’s supposed preparations for the attack. They presented a post he allegedly wrote a month ago on Jan. 6, 2021, calling for an “openly armed rebellion,” telling jurors to bring three gas masks and food rations to D.C. He said he came
Robertson destroyed his and Fracker’s cell phones before his arrest and purchased 37 guns in violation of the terms of his release while awaiting trial. Cooper considered this as well as that Robertson “continued to advocate violence” in his sentencing.
Source: www.cnn.com
