Supporters of President Donald Trump climb the west wall of the the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021. A southern Utah man was sentenced Monday for his involvement in the U.S. Capitol riot. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
WASHINGTON — A Toquerville man was sentenced Monday for his involvement in the Jan. 6, 2021 riot at the U.S. Capitol.
Willard “Jake” Peart was sentenced to three years of probation and 240 hours of community service. Additionally, Peart is also required to pay $1,000 in fines and restitution, and must comply to 60 days of home confinement with electronic monitoring.
Previously, Peart had pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor parading, demonstrating or picketing at the U.S. Capitol.
Part of the government’s case against Peart included a comment he made in regard to Sen. Mitt Romney.
According to court documents, the comment said: “I don’t know what would have happened if I had seen Mitt Romney. It’s probably a good thing that I didn’t see him, because I would have been, who knows, I was definitely, um ya know, there. I’ve never had that much adrenaline run through my body ever, um so I don’t know, … and I’m glad it ended the way it ended.”
In Monday’s sentencing, prosecutors were seeking 30 days in jail for Peart. However, prosecutors acknowledged his cooperation during the investigation.
In the same court document, Peart says “I’m glad it ended the way it ended.” The court document states that comment was in regard to no violence on the part of Jake Peart toward Romney or anybody else at the Capitol.
The court document further states that Peart did not assault anyone, cause damage to property or force his way past a police line. Instead of continuing to act on his emotions, Peart returned home to Utah. Court documents say that within seven days of the riot, Peart was on the phone with an attorney seeking to turn himself in.
Peart is the third Utahn to be sentenced for charges related to the U.S. Capitol riot. All three have not been sentenced to jail.
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