Pennsylvania resident Frank Scavo has now become one of the latest Capitol rioters to receive their punishment. After previously pleading guilty to a single count of illegally parading, demonstrating, or picketing in the Capitol, he has now been sentenced to 60 days in prison. The charge to which Scavo pleaded guilty, which is a misdemeanor offense, comes with a prison sentence of up to six months, but considerable less time behind bars — as is the case here — has repeatedly proven to be an option. Presumably, Scavo’s willingness to accept a plea deal relates to the length of time he’s spending in jail — although federal Judge Royce Lamberth, who handled the sentencing, went way above the government’s request of just 14 days in jail for Scavo.
The govt recommended 14 days in jail for Scavo, defense asked 14 days home confinement. Judge Lamberth just gave him 60 days (!!!) and a $5,000 fine, largest increase of a govt recommendation we've seen so far. Looks like the biggest fine so far too. https://t.co/WlflMjycey
— Tom Jackman (@TomJackmanWP) November 22, 2021
Scavo set up buses to D.C. in the lead-up to the violence at the Capitol. The four buses that he chartered to the area on the day of the Capitol attack brought about 200 Pennsylvania residents to the vicinity of the violence. Scavo claimed at one point to a Pennsylvania news outlet that he and those who came to D.C. with him “didn’t see what was going on inside the Capitol,” but that same outlet — the Wilkes-Barre Times Leader — actually found Scavo in images of the chaos within the Capitol building. Scavo was not, however, accused of perpetrating physical violence, such as assaults on police officers, while at the Capitol.
Frank Scavo, a Pennsylvania Trump supporter, cooperated with the FBI and pleaded guilty in his misdemeanor case. https://t.co/XwN3JiXeKW
— HuffPost Politics (@HuffPostPol) November 22, 2021
HuffPost notes that Scavo’s “plea agreement included a cooperation provision, and Scavo turned over videos that he filmed inside the Capitol the day of the riot.” Scavo’s attorney has previously stated that his client is “ever regretful of having committed this crime” — which is more than the sort of thing that can be said for prominent Republicans in power. Trump, for instance, has repeatedly defended the people who stormed the Capitol, including those who chanted “Hang Mike Pence!” because of the then-vice president’s perceived lack of sufficient loyalty to Trump. On a semi-related note, Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.) has been unapologetic after posting an edited, partly animated video that depicted him murdering Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.).
I think this comment goes a long to explaining why Lamberth just handed down the sentence that he did (that is, he didn't seem to believe Scavo was remorseful, felt a stiffer sentence was warranted): https://t.co/oZHQVRbQFQ
— Zoe Tillman (@ZoeTillman) November 22, 2021
The GOP’s embrace of violence goes on from there, too. After the recent acquittal of Kyle Rittenhouse on homicide charges connected to his killing of two people at a Wisconsin protest in 2020, three prominent Republicans — including Reps. Matt Gaetz (Fla.), Paul Gosar (Ariz.), and Madison Cawthorn (N.C.) — made a public show of offering Rittenhouse a Congressional internship.
FLASH: Judge goes higher than prosecutors recommended in sentencing of Jan 6 defendant Frank Scavo of PA
Feds sought 14 days prison. Judge hands down 60 days & $5000 fine. https://t.co/cdXU9C50NI
— Scott MacFarlane (@MacFarlaneNews) November 22, 2021
