ORLANDO, Fla. – Three years after a crowd of President Trump’s supporters rioted at the U.S. Capitol, nearly two-thirds of the criminal cases involving Central Florida residents have been resolved in court.
In all, the U.S. Justice Department counts more than 1,200 people have been arrested and charged with crimes stemming from their involvement in the attack of Jan. 6, 2021.
In Central Florida, 38 people were arrested, 22 of those cases have been resolved and all but one resulted in convictions.
Most defendants received minimal prison sentences or probation, but some of those arrested faced some of the stiffest penalties.
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Oath Keepers
Kelly Meggs, of Dunnellon, was convicted of seditious conspiracy in 2022.
Prosecutors claimed Meggs – a member of the Oath Keepers – conspired with Kenneth Harrelson, of Titusville, and Oath Keepers leader Elmer Stewart Rhodes to storm the joint session of Congress, where members were certifying the results of the presidential election.
Watch: Kelly Meggs speaks to News 6 from jail
Meggs was sentenced to 12 years in prison, while Harrelson was sentenced to 4 years.
Meggs’ wife Connie is serving 15 months in prison for lesser charges.
Proud Boys
Proud Boys Florida leader Joseph Biggs, of Ormond Beach, was sentenced to 17 years in prison after he was also found guilty of seditious conspiracy, alongside founder Enrique Tarrio.
Prosecutors claimed Biggs conspired with other members of his group and the Oath Keepers.
Remaining cases
Sixteen Central Florida residents still face pending charges connected to Jan. 6, 2021, but none face the possibility of such long prison sentences if they are convicted.
To see more about who has been arrested, click here for ClickOrlando.com’s coverage.
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