The January 6 rioter who used the sovereign citizen’s “gobbledygook” was discovered responsible at trial

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WASHINGTON — A Jan. 6 rioter who represented himself throughout a jury trial and made sovereign citizen arguments {that a} federal choose referred to as “bulls—” and “gobbledygook” was discovered responsible Tuesday and ordered positioned in authorities custody.

Taylor James Gonatakis, from Washington state, was arrested in February 2021 and was placed on trial beginning final week. After a number of hours of deliberation, the jury discovered Gountakis sinner Tuesday on felony fees of obstructing an official continuing, assaulting officers, and civil dysfunction, along with 4 misdemeanor fees.

Decide Royce Lamberth grew to become annoyed with Gounatakis throughout a pretrial convention final week that occurred the day earlier than jury choice started. Gonatakis has repeatedly stated he needs to simply accept “full duty” for the accusations. “I want to discover a answer,” Gounatakis stated, although he refused to plead responsible to the costs.

Lamberth stated Gonatakis “may have gotten a lighter sentence” if he “hadn’t been so aggressive.”

Taylor James Jonatakis pushes police with a metal barricade on January 6, 2021.
Taylor James Jonatakis pushes police with a steel barricade on January 6, 2021.Workplace of the USA Lawyer for the District of Columbia

“I am telling you the information of life. You do not imagine me,” Lamberth stated. “Once they discover you responsible, you’ll go to jail.”

As soon as the jury trial started, Gounatakis didn’t name any witnesses or current a defence.

“I’ve repented of all my sins,” Gonatakis stated in the course of the trial, saying he requested Decide Lamberth to “determine” the matter — a typical phrase from sovereign residents — as a result of, he stated, there was “no controversy” earlier than the court docket.

In the course of the trial, Gounatakis questioned an FBI particular agent about whether or not the particular agent had accepted Gounatakis’ apology for his actions. FBI Particular Agent Michael Kelly responded that it was not his authority to simply accept Gounatakis’ apology. Greater than 1,200 folks have been charged in reference to the Capitol assault, and greater than 400 have acquired jail sentences. Related “Discord hunters“Suppose about 1,000 extra rioters have been recognized, however not but arrested.

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