A former Trump official has been sentenced to nearly six years in prison for his involvement in the January 6th Capitol riot. Federico Klein, a Marine Corps veteran and politically appointed State Department official, was convicted of attacking police officers during the violent siege.
Klein was part of a mob that engaged in a fierce struggle with outnumbered police officers at a tunnel entrance on the Capitol’s Lower West Terrace. According to federal prosecutors, he repeatedly assaulted officers, urged fellow rioters to join the fray, and attempted to prevent police from closing the entrance doors.
Prosecutors described Klein’s actions as a relentless siege on police officers as he sought to disrupt the certification of Joe Biden’s victory over Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election.
During the trial, Klein chose not to testify and declined to address the court before being sentenced by US District Judge Trevor McFadden. The judge condemned Klein’s actions as shocking and egregious.
In addition to the prison sentence, Klein was ordered to pay a $3,000 fine and $2,000 in restitution. He will report to prison at a later date.
Klein served in the State Department’s office of Brazilian and Southern Cone Affairs from 2017 until he resigned on January 19, 2021, one day before Biden’s inauguration. Prosecutors argued that Klein’s participation in the riot was likely motivated by a desire to maintain his position as a presidential appointee.
Defense attorney Stanley Woodward accused prosecutors of exaggerating Klein’s role in the riot due to his political ties to the Trump administration. Woodward argued that Klein should be sentenced based on his actual involvement in the events of that day, rather than being held responsible for the more extreme actions of others.
Prosecutors had recommended a prison sentence of 10 years for Klein. However, Judge McFadden ultimately sentenced him to five years and 10 months.
Klein’s co-defendant, Steven Cappuccio, was also convicted of assault charges and other offenses related to the Capitol riot. Cappuccio’s sentencing was scheduled to take place on the same day.
The January 6th Capitol riot resulted in charges against nearly 1,200 individuals. Over 800 of them have entered guilty pleas or been convicted, with approximately 700 already sentenced. The sentences have ranged from three days to 22 years in prison.
