The member of the Proud Boys extremist group who infamously took selfies in the Senate gallery during the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot has been sentenced to six years in prison. Marc Anthony Bru, 44, from Vancouver, Washington, was also ordered to pay a fine and restitution as part of his sentence. Let’s delve into the details.
The Sentencing
According to federal prosecutors, Bru was found guilty of two felonies, obstruction of an official proceeding and civil disorder, and five misdemeanors. The sentencing includes six years in prison, followed by 36 months of supervised release. In addition, Bru is required to pay a $7,946 fine and $2,000 in restitution.
The Capitol Riot
During the Capitol riot, Bru joined other members of the Proud Boys, with the intention of obstructing the certification of the Electoral College vote. He was among the first to breach a restricted perimeter on the west side of the U.S. Capitol grounds and verbally harassed U.S. Capitol Police for almost two hours.
Physical Confrontation
As the police officers attempted to regain control of the area using bike rack barricades, Bru physically resisted their efforts. He used his full body weight to push back against the barricades and continued to engage in the struggle between rioters and police. Despite the officers’ attempts to repel him with pepper spray, Bru persisted.
Accessing the Senate Gallery
When the police line was broken, Bru made his way up the steps of the Capitol to the upper west terrace, where he chanted along with the mob, demanding entry. Within 10 minutes of entering the Capitol, Bru arrived at the Senate gallery, adjacent to the evacuated Senate floor. He took selfies against the backdrop of the empty Senate floor, one of which included flashing a hand sign associated with the Proud Boys.
Arrest and Court Proceedings
Bru was arrested by the FBI on March 30, 2021. While on pretrial release, he was arrested twice for alleged DUI offenses and failed to appear in court for scheduled hearings. Bru also failed to attend a pretrial hearing in his federal case. Two days later, he posted screenshots on social media showing his indifference to news reports about his absence from the hearing.
Defiant Remarks
During a subsequent hearing, Bru expressed his defiance to a federal judge, stating, “You could give me 100 years and I would still do it all over again.” His lawyer did not respond to requests for comment regarding his sentence.
The case against Bru is just one example of the legal actions being taken against individuals involved in the Capitol breach on January 6, 2021. To date, approximately 1,265 people from nearly every state have been charged with crimes related to the incident. Among them, around 440 people face charges of assaulting or impeding law enforcement.
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