WASHINGTON, D.C. – Federal prosecutors want a Central Florida man -- known as “Sedition Panda” – to spend more than five years in prison for his role in the attack on the U.S. Capitol in 2021.
According to court documents, investigators claimed Jesse James Rumson, of Lecanto, Florida, was the man inside a panda costume at the U.S. Capitol building on Jan. 6, 2021.
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Investigators said Rumson was seen in cell phone and surveillance video marching to the U.S. Capitol, jumping over police railings and entering the Capitol through the Parliamentary Doors.
During a trial in May, he was found guilty of eight federal charges, including impeding law enforcement, aiding and abetting, entering a restricted federal building, and disorderly conduct.
New documents filed in Washington, D.C.’s federal court on Tuesday showed prosecutors want a judge to sentence Rumson to 66 months in prison.
“On January 6, Rumson ascended to the Upper West Terrace of the Capitol building via the Northwest Steps, climbing through scaffolding into the midst of a riot while wearing a large panda headpiece,” the document read.
Prosecutors claimed Rumson urged the crowd to get “a ram” to breach the Senate Wing Door, grabbed the face shield of a police officer and yanked it downward.
“A 66-month sentence reflects the gravity of Rumson’s conduct and takes into consideration his repeated efforts to obstruct this case by lying about his conduct to the FBI and under oath at trial,” the document read.
His attorney is expected to file a rebuttal.
Rumson will be sentenced Sept. 5.
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