Oregon man requests delay in Capitol riot sentencing until after Trump’s inauguration
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — An Oregon man found guilty for his involvement in the Jan. 6 insurrection in 2021 is requesting his sentencing be delayed until after Donald Trump's inauguration.
In documents filed two days after Trump defeated Vice President Kamala Harris, Jonathanpeter Klein's attorney requested his sentencing be postponed for 90 days, asserting that, under different leadership, the DOJ "may have different views on information that is exculpatory or mitigating in this case."
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Court records show that Jonathanpeter contacted his employer in late December 2020 to request several days off in early January, so he and his brother Matthew could attend the "Stop the Steal" rally in Washington, D.C.
According to the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, the Kleins then traveled from Portland to Philadelphia on Jan. 4, 2021.
Following then-President Donald Trump's rally on Jan. 6, the brothers joined large crowds in storming the U.S. Capitol and entering an area that was restricted to the public.
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While outside, investigators reported Jonathanpeter threw a piece of audiovisual equipment — that was intended for President Joe Biden's upcoming inauguration — directly at an officer with the Metropolitan Police Department.
The officer suffered a blow to his helmet, which had a visible dent. According to the documents, body camera footage depicts other law enforcement helping him as he stumbled and struggled to gain his footing. The officer also testified that he temporarily lost consciousness.
Jonathanpeter and Matthew were separated once they entered the Capitol building, but investigators claimed the two joined other insurrectionists in "forcefully" pulling a door handle as officers attempted to prevent the crowd from entering another side of the building.
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Both brothers were arrested in Sherwood on Mar. 21, 2021 and had initial appearances before a federal judge.
On July 17, Matthew plead guilty to civil disorder and entering or remaining in a restricted building or grounds. Jonathanpeter plead guilty to civil disorder and assault on certain officers.
A civil disorder charge prompts a maximum sentence of five years in prison, supervised release of up to three years and a $250,000 fine or twice the monetary loss or gain of the offense.
The maximum sentence for assaulting an officer includes the same penalties, but up to eight years in prison. Entering a building on restricted grounds could lead to a sentence of up to 10 years.
However, President-elect Trump has previously spoken of his intent to pardon every Capitol rioter , referring to them as political prisoners and "hostages."
Klein's original sentencing was set for Nov. 15. But according to the documents, a federal judge denied the 90-day delay, instead granting a two-week extension as the prosecutor in the case "unexpectedly needed to go out on personal leave."
As a result, Klein, along with his brother Matthew, will now be sentenced on Dec. 2.
