A California man accused of organizing a group of Jan. 6 rioters, participating in the riots and attempting to destroy evidence of his involvement was sentenced to more than four years in prison on Tuesday, the Justice Department announced.

Edward Badalian was convicted of conspiracy and obstruction of an official proceeding in April. He was sentenced to four years and three months in prison and was ordered to pay $2,000 in restitution.

Prosecutors allege that Badalian used a Telegram group chat named “PATRIOTS45MAGA Gang” to encourage violence against political enemies, and at one point said he wanted to arrest President Biden.

  • magnetosphere@kbin.social
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    1 year ago

    Badalian’s efforts to cover up his Jan. 6 participation also included changing his phone number, prosecutors said.

    Remember this example of tactical brilliance the next time you hear some right wing asshole talking about a second civil war.

      • Wooster@startrek.website
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        1 year ago

        They should. They came alarmingly close to overturning democracy. Imagine a round 2 where there’s more organization.

        • Flying Squid@lemmy.world
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          1 year ago

          They didn’t though. They came alarmingly close to overturning a performative ceremony that has no actual bearing on the election. Do you really think Trump would have become president if they had succeeded in stopping the count? It had already been counted, just not officially. That’s how stupid these people are.