QAnon “Pickup Artist” Rioter Sentenced To Four Years

September 8, 2023 Crime, Trump cultists

The Philadelphia Inquirer reports:

A self-styled dating coach and influencer from South Jersey blamed his pursuit of social media fame for the role he played in the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol as he was sentenced to four years in federal prison Friday. Patrick Stedman, 35, of Haddonfield, apologized for his actions that day, his livestream videos of the assault — in which he referred to members of Congress as “f— rats” and accused them of committing treason — as efforts to “look brave on Twitter.”

“Unfortunately, social media tends to reward obnoxious behavior,” he wrote in a letter to the judge. “I was a fool, and like all fools I have suffered the consequences of my myopia.” But as she weighed Stedman’s fate, U.S. District Judge Beryl A. Howell expressed even greater concern that his social media following has only grown in the years since he was charged in connection with the riot.

From the Justice Department:

Numerous videos and photos documented Stedman’s offenses inside the Capitol building, including footage from police body-worn camera, open-source video, surveillance footage from inside the Capitol, and texts and messages he posted to social media.

According to evidence introduced at trial, Stedman used his substantial online presence to encourage and organize other men to come to Washington, D.C., on January 6, telling his followers the night before, “Now we FIGHT!”

In his own words, recorded on video later that day, Stedman said he was in the “first wave” that “climbed up the back part of the Capitol building” and “broke down the doors.” Along with two of his followers, Stedman illegally entered the U.S. Capitol shouting, “Storming the Capitol!” and “Let’s f****** go!” as he advanced forward.

While inside the Capitol for over 40 minutes, Stedman was part of a disorderly mob that overran police lines in the Crypt. Stedman entered the chambers of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and roamed the halls and offices in the Speaker’s Suite.

He also took selfie photos of himself on the Speaker’s Balcony. Stedman proceeded to the main door to the House Chamber, where he yelled, “Let us in!” and “Break it down!” as other rioters banged on the door, the window of which had already been broken.

When Stedman learned that a rioter had been shot, he shouted threats at officers of the U.S. Capitol Police, including, “You killed one of us? You’re done!”

After he was expelled from the Capitol building by police, Stedman recorded a video for his followers, explaining that he had “taken action” to prevent Congress from certifying the results of the presidential election and that the “rats” – as he referred to members of Congress – had “scurried into the tunnels” to escape.

He posted on social media that “patriots” had stolen the hard drives from the Capitol and, “The Storm is Here.”

At this writing, donations are pouring into his money beg.



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