Prosecutors Secure Second Guilty Plea In Capitol Insurrection Investigation

A Florida man who stormed the U.S. Capitol and stood on the Senate floor during the Jan. 6 insurrection has become the second person to plead guilty in the federal investigation into the deadly riot.

Paul Hodgkins entered his plea during a virtual hearing Wednesday in federal court in Washington. The 38-year-old was originally facing five charges, but under a deal negotiated with prosecutors, he pleaded guilty to one count of obstructing an official proceeding.

"I have decided that I will accept this plea offer, and I will plead guilty to charge one," Hodgkins told U.S. District Court Judge Randolph Moss.

According to the statement of offense: Hodgkins entered the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 among the mob of Trump supporters. Hodgkins, wearing a dark blue shirt with "Trump" in white letters and carrying a red Trump 2020 flag, made his way through the crowd and onto the floor of the Senate chamber, where he stood with other rioters.

He was not accused of engaging in any violence.

Under the plea deal, the Justice Department has agreed to dismiss the four other counts against Hodgkins — unlawful entry, two disorderly conduct counts, as well as one count of parading or picketing in the Capitol.

The single charge Hodgkins did plead guilty to carries a maximum sentence of 20 years, although he's unlikely to face anything near that.

Judge Moss said the estimated sentencing guidelines range for Hodgkins based on his history would be 15 to 21 months in prison, although the final decision is up to Moss.

A sentencing hearing has been tentatively set for July 19.

Hodgkins is just the second person to plead guilty of the more than 400 charged so far in the sprawling Capitol riot investigation. The first was a heavy metal musician who was also a founding member of the Oath Keepers extremist group. [Copyright 2021 NPR]