Eau Claire man gets probation in Jan. 6 Capitol riot

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MILWAUKEE (AP) — A Wisconsin man will spend three years on probation for participating in the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol.

U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich in Washington, D.C., sentenced Kevin Daniel Loftus of Eau Claire to three years’ on probation on Tuesday, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported.

Loftus, who served six years in the U.S. Army, was arrested Jan. 11, five days after the riot. He pleaded guilty in October to a misdemeanor charge of parading, picketing or demonstrating in the Capitol building.

Prosecutors argued that Loftus deserved 30 days in jail but his attorney argued other Jan. 6 defendants who were in the building only briefly didn’t get jail time. The judge noted that Loftus didn’t assault anyone, didn’t plan to break into the building, didn’t have any weapons beyond a U.S. flag on a 6-foot pole and cooperated with the FBI after he was identified.

Loftus wrote in a letter to Friedrich that he was remorseful and the professionalism and respect for rights that authorities have shown him have changed how he views government “180 degrees.” He added he plans to stay out of politics and protests going forward.