The son of a notable conservative activist was found guilty of 10 felonies for his alleged participation in the Jan. 6 riot, including smashing a Capitol window, the Justice Department announced Friday.
Leo Bren Bozell IV was found guilty of assaulting a police officer, destroying government property, obstructing a prior and other crimes. The charges carry a maximum prison sentence of 20 years.
Prosecutors allege Bozell led rioters up the Capitol steps, broke a window, entered the Capitol and headed to Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s (D-California) office and later led a crowd to the Senate floor.
His father is Brent Bozell III, who founded the Media Research Center, Parents Television Council and other conservative media organizations.
Bozell was identified through online tips to the FBI and arrested in February 2021. Investigators said witnesses recognized his sweatshirt — decorated with the insignia of his children’s private school in rural Pennsylvania, where he coached basketball.
Prosecutors alleged the suspect also helped organize the “Stop the Steal” rally in front of the Capitol that preceded the riot. In a preliminary investigation, prosecutors said he “made a significant contribution to the chaos, destruction and obstruction at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.”
His lawyers denied that he took part in any violence or helped seize police lines during the riot.
“In fact, video evidence will demonstrate that Mr. Bozell somehow assisted law enforcement officers whom he believed could be helped by his assistance,” attorney William Shipley wrote in a filing. “[Bozell] was – for the most part – simply lost and wandered from place to place, observing events as they happened.”
More than 1,100 people have been arrested in connection with the Jan. 6 riots, including nearly 400 on charges of assaulting a police officer, the Justice Department said.
The longest sentence — 22 years — for a defendant from Jan. 6 to date was imposed earlier this week on former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio. Proud Boys member Ethan Nordean and Oath Keepers leader Stewart Rhodes are facing the second-longest sentences — 18 years — for their roles in the insurrection.
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