A former mixed martial arts fighter was sentenced to 41 months in prison Wednesday after pleading guilty to assaulting a police officer, a felony charge stemming from his participation in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.
Why it matters: Scott Fairlamb, 44, is the first Jan. 6 rioter to be ordered to serve years behind bars. The sentence could set a benchmark for other cases that prosecutors have brought against people involved in the attack.
What they’re saying: Ahead of the sentence, Judge Royce Lamberth told Fairlamb, of New Jersey, that pleading guilty was the right decision, adding that “had you gone to trial, I don’t think there’s any jury that could have acquitted you,” per CNN.
- “It is clear that Mr. Fairlamb is not a danger to the community,” Fairlamb’s lawyer wrote in a sentencing memo.
- “He is sincerely remorseful and will never repeat the crimes to which he pled guilty,” he added.
- “Mr. Fairlamb has a family ready to provide strong support for his return as a law-abiding and productive member of society.”
The backdrop: Prosecutors had sought 44 months in prison for Fairlamb, who shoved a police officer and punched his face shield. Federal sentencing guidelines for similar offenses suggest between 41 and 51 months in prison.
- Fairlamb had a criminal record before the insurrection attempt, which included two past convictions for violent assaults, according to the sentencing memorandum.
