Tomahawk-Wielding Jan. 6 Rioter Gets 7 Years in Prison
- 7 months ago
Tomahawk-Wielding Jan. 6 Rioter Gets 7 Years in Prison.
A Texas man who attacked the U.S. Capitol with a metal tomahawk — and is now the face of a website selling merchandise portraying jailed rioters as “political prisoners” — was sentenced Friday to seven years behind bars.
Shane Jenkins, 46, tried to smash a Capitol window with his tomahawk during the Jan. 6, 2021, siege. He also repeatedly threw makeshift weapons at police officers, hurling a desk drawer, a flagpole, a metal walking stick and a wooden pole with a spear-like point.
A website touts Jenkins as the founder of a group that seeks to “shed light on the January 6th defendants and the treatment they have faced from the government.” The website sells T-shirts, hoodies, hats, tote bags and other merchandise with Jan. 6-themed slogans, including “Free the J6 political prisoners” and “Want my vote? Help the J6ers.” Another shirt for sale features former President Donald Trump’s mugshot over the words “Indicted we stand.”
The website also commemorates Jenkins’ own role in the riot. It displays a cartoon avatar of Jenkins, nicknamed Skullet, and a logo depicting crossed tomahawks below a silhouette of the Capitol building.
Prosecutors don’t know how much money Jenkins has generated from the website’s merchandise sales. But they said he has used another fundraising site to collect more than $118,000 in donations.
“Far from contemplating the harm he has caused, examining his conscience, feeling shame for his actions, and resolving to change, Jenkins has chosen to use his January 6 status to build a brand in order to garner money and attention,” prosecutors wrote in a court filing.
Defense attorney Dennis Boyle said Jenkins hasn’t received money from the sale of Jan. 6 merchandise and doesn’t own the site that sells it, although he couldn’t say who does.
U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta, who sentenced Jenkins, said it was “shameful” for him to capitalize on his role in the riot. The judge also rejected the notion that Jenkins and other jailed rioters are political prisoners who can’t get a fair trial.
“Nothing could be further from the truth,” Mehta said. “It’s all on video.”
Jenkins expressed remorse for his actions on Jan. 6, saying he got “caught up in the heat of the moment.”
“I love this country,” he told the judge. “And I’m not some crazed maniac set out to destroy this nation.”
Prosecutors had recommended a prison sentence of 19 years and eight months. They also asked the judge to impose a fine of at least $118,888, equaling the money Jenkins has publicly raised.
Mehta denied their request for a fine. He also refused to impose a “terrorism” enhancement that would have significantly increased his sentencing guidelines.
In March, a jury convicted Jenkins of charges including civil disorder and obstructing the Jan. 6 joint session of Congress for certifying the presidential election victory of Joe Bide
A Texas man who attacked the U.S. Capitol with a metal tomahawk — and is now the face of a website selling merchandise portraying jailed rioters as “political prisoners” — was sentenced Friday to seven years behind bars.
Shane Jenkins, 46, tried to smash a Capitol window with his tomahawk during the Jan. 6, 2021, siege. He also repeatedly threw makeshift weapons at police officers, hurling a desk drawer, a flagpole, a metal walking stick and a wooden pole with a spear-like point.
A website touts Jenkins as the founder of a group that seeks to “shed light on the January 6th defendants and the treatment they have faced from the government.” The website sells T-shirts, hoodies, hats, tote bags and other merchandise with Jan. 6-themed slogans, including “Free the J6 political prisoners” and “Want my vote? Help the J6ers.” Another shirt for sale features former President Donald Trump’s mugshot over the words “Indicted we stand.”
The website also commemorates Jenkins’ own role in the riot. It displays a cartoon avatar of Jenkins, nicknamed Skullet, and a logo depicting crossed tomahawks below a silhouette of the Capitol building.
Prosecutors don’t know how much money Jenkins has generated from the website’s merchandise sales. But they said he has used another fundraising site to collect more than $118,000 in donations.
“Far from contemplating the harm he has caused, examining his conscience, feeling shame for his actions, and resolving to change, Jenkins has chosen to use his January 6 status to build a brand in order to garner money and attention,” prosecutors wrote in a court filing.
Defense attorney Dennis Boyle said Jenkins hasn’t received money from the sale of Jan. 6 merchandise and doesn’t own the site that sells it, although he couldn’t say who does.
U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta, who sentenced Jenkins, said it was “shameful” for him to capitalize on his role in the riot. The judge also rejected the notion that Jenkins and other jailed rioters are political prisoners who can’t get a fair trial.
“Nothing could be further from the truth,” Mehta said. “It’s all on video.”
Jenkins expressed remorse for his actions on Jan. 6, saying he got “caught up in the heat of the moment.”
“I love this country,” he told the judge. “And I’m not some crazed maniac set out to destroy this nation.”
Prosecutors had recommended a prison sentence of 19 years and eight months. They also asked the judge to impose a fine of at least $118,888, equaling the money Jenkins has publicly raised.
Mehta denied their request for a fine. He also refused to impose a “terrorism” enhancement that would have significantly increased his sentencing guidelines.
In March, a jury convicted Jenkins of charges including civil disorder and obstructing the Jan. 6 joint session of Congress for certifying the presidential election victory of Joe Bide