Arkansas man accused in Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol riot sentenced to prison
A federal judge sentenced an Arkansas man to prison for his actions during the riots at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.Richard Barnett was ordered to spend four years and six months in prison. He was also sentenced to 3 years probation and ordered to pay $2,000 in restitution. “I’m very disappointed,” Barnett’s cousin Eileen Halpin said. “I’ve said it many times that I feel like justice wasn’t served.”The federal judge told Barnett that he believes he is a family man and a friend to many, but noted that he is at odds with the disrepectful and “vulgar” behavior Barnett showed at the capital. “I think everybody should have been judged on what they actually did,” Halpin said. “I feel like it was more of group mentality.”Barnett, 62, of Gravette, Arkansas, was photographed with his feet up on a desk in Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s office during the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. He also took an envelope from her office.A jury found him guilty of obstruction of an official proceeding, theft of government property, and entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon.Prosecutors had requested more than seven years in prison for Richard Barnett.According to court documents filed last week, “The need for the sentence to provide specific deterrence to this particular defendant also weighs heavily in favor of a lengthy term of incarceration.”The defense requested no prison time for Richard Barnett.The defense’s filing last week included letters from friends, neighbors and family members vouching for Barnett’s character.The sentencing hearing is set for 2 p.m. ET in D.C. Federal court.Barnett’s TrialBarnett testified in his trial earlier this year, saying he regrets going to the Capitol.He said he went to Washington, D.C., for the Trump rally on Jan. 6, 2021, because he loves the Constitution and felt it was being trampled. He said he went inside the Capitol building to find the bathroom and didn’t realize he was in Pelosi’s office.Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking here.Prosecutors shared a Facebook post from Dec. 24, 2020, where prosecutors say Barnett called for others to join him on Jan. 6. Then another one from Dec. 28 where the post read, in part, ‘I am fighting until death for our country and constitution.’Prosecutors also showed a surveillance photo from Barnett’s hotel room where they say he was showing others how to use a stun gun.Barnett’s cousin, Eileen Halpin says the incident doesn’t paint the picture of who Barnett is as a person.”You know what about all of the you know 60 plus years of good that this man has done,” she said. “Does this count for nothing? He’s made some bad choices, there’s no question. I mean I wish it hadn’t of happened, I wished that all of it wouldn’t have happened. Like he said, he regretted a lot of it in court.”>> Download the 40/29 News AppBarnett has claimed he was assaulted in prison before. Halpin fears it may happen again.”Due to hate,” she said. “That’s hate. I don’t see that being any better situation inside of that type of criminal setting.”Barnett said after the trial that he plans to appeal.Other Arkansans ArrestedFour other Arkansans have been arrested on charges stemming from the Capitol riot.Brennen Cline Machacek, of Hindsville, pleaded guilty to parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building.. In a court document, an FBI agent alleges Machacek went into the Capitol building through the window near the Senate Wing Door and wandered through the Capitol before exiting.Jon Thomas Mott, of Flippin, pleaded guilty to a charge of parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building. In one video, Mott is seen pushing against a police officer’s baton while telling him, “don’t touch me” and “if you don’t touch me, I won’t touch you,” a law enforcement report states.Robert “Bob” Snow, of Heber Springs, pleaded guilty to parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building. A judge sentenced him to a year of probation and $510 in fines in July 2022. He has apologized for taking part.Peter Francis Stager, of Conway, pleaded guilty to assaulting a Metropolitan Police Department officer. is accused of beating an officer with an American flag and flagpole.Top Headlines Target pulls some LGBTQ+ merchandise from stores ahead of June Pride month after threats to workers Tina Turner, superstar whose hits included ‘What’s Love Got to Do With It,’ dead at 83 Arkansas Health Department closes 3 Northwest Arkansas swim beaches
A federal judge sentenced an Arkansas man to prison for his actions during the riots at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
Richard Barnett was ordered to spend four years and six months in prison. He was also sentenced to 3 years probation and ordered to pay $2,000 in restitution.
“I’m very disappointed,” Barnett’s cousin Eileen Halpin said. “I’ve said it many times that I feel like justice wasn’t served.”
The federal judge told Barnett that he believes he is a family man and a friend to many, but noted that he is at odds with the disrepectful and “vulgar” behavior Barnett showed at the capital.
“I think everybody should have been judged on what they actually did,” Halpin said. “I feel like it was more of group mentality.”
Barnett, 62, of Gravette, Arkansas, was photographed with his feet up on a desk in Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s office during the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. He also took an envelope from her office.
A jury found him guilty of obstruction of an official proceeding, theft of government property, and entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon.
Prosecutors had requested more than seven years in prison for Richard Barnett.
According to court documents filed last week, “The need for the sentence to provide specific deterrence to this particular defendant also weighs heavily in favor of a lengthy term of incarceration.”
The defense requested no prison time for Richard Barnett.
The defense’s filing last week included letters from friends, neighbors and family members vouching for Barnett’s character.
The sentencing hearing is set for 2 p.m. ET in D.C. Federal court.
Barnett’s Trial
Barnett testified in his trial earlier this year, saying he regrets going to the Capitol.
He said he went to Washington, D.C., for the Trump rally on Jan. 6, 2021, because he loves the Constitution and felt it was being trampled. He said he went inside the Capitol building to find the bathroom and didn’t realize he was in Pelosi’s office.
Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking here.
Prosecutors shared a Facebook post from Dec. 24, 2020, where prosecutors say Barnett called for others to join him on Jan. 6. Then another one from Dec. 28 where the post read, in part, ‘I am fighting until death for our country and constitution.’
Prosecutors also showed a surveillance photo from Barnett’s hotel room where they say he was showing others how to use a stun gun.
Barnett’s cousin, Eileen Halpin says the incident doesn’t paint the picture of who Barnett is as a person.
“You know what about all of the you know 60 plus years of good that this man has done,” she said. “Does this count for nothing? He’s made some bad choices, there’s no question. I mean I wish it hadn’t of happened, I wished that all of it wouldn’t have happened. Like he said, he regretted a lot of it in court.”
>> Download the 40/29 News App
Barnett has claimed he was assaulted in prison before. Halpin fears it may happen again.
“Due to hate,” she said. “That’s hate. I don’t see that being any better situation inside of that type of criminal setting.”
Barnett said after the trial that he plans to appeal.
Other Arkansans Arrested
Four other Arkansans have been arrested on charges stemming from the Capitol riot.
Brennen Cline Machacek, of Hindsville, pleaded guilty to parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building.. In a court document, an FBI agent alleges Machacek went into the Capitol building through the window near the Senate Wing Door and wandered through the Capitol before exiting.
Jon Thomas Mott, of Flippin, pleaded guilty to a charge of parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building. In one video, Mott is seen pushing against a police officer’s baton while telling him, “don’t touch me” and “if you don’t touch me, I won’t touch you,” a law enforcement report states.
Robert “Bob” Snow, of Heber Springs, pleaded guilty to parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building. A judge sentenced him to a year of probation and $510 in fines in July 2022. He has apologized for taking part.
Peter Francis Stager, of Conway, pleaded guilty to assaulting a Metropolitan Police Department officer. is accused of beating an officer with an American flag and flagpole.
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