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3 years later: Two-thirds of Central Florida Capitol riot cases settled in court

Biggs, Meggs convicted of seditious conspiracy, sentenced to prison

FILE - Rioters at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. Frank Rocco Giustino, who skipped court hearings, profanely insulted a prosecutor and berated a federal judge, has been sentenced to three months behind bars for joining the mob that attacked the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/John Minchillo, File) (John Minchillo, Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

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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Kelly Meggs and Kenneth Harrelson (Copyright 2022 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved.)

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

Joseph Biggs walks out of federal court

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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About the Author
Erik Sandoval headshot

Erik Sandoval joined the News 6 team as a reporter in May 2013 and became an Investigator in 2020. During his time at News 6, Erik has covered several major stories, including the 2016 Presidential campaign. He was also one of the first reporters live on the air at the Pulse Nightclub shooting.

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