Four individuals belonging to the ‘Three Percenters’ group have been handed prison sentences for their involvement in the January 6, 2021, insurrection. The photo on the left shows Ronald Mele, one of the individuals involved, while the photo on the right captures the riot at a police barrier at the Capitol on that fateful day.
Four individuals who identified as ‘Three Percenters’ and were armed with knives, while dressed in tactical gear, have been sentenced to prison for their involvement in the insurrection that took place on January 6, 2021, at the Capitol.
Erik Scott Warner, aged 48, has been given a sentencing of 27 months, while Felipe Antonio Martinez, aged 50, has received a 21-month sentence. Derek Kinnison, aged 42, has been sentenced to 33 months, and Ronald Mele, aged 54, has also received a 33-month sentence. Additionally, they have been ordered to pay $2,000 in restitution and complete 36 months of supervised release.
They were found guilty of engaging in a conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding and obstructing an official proceeding, both of which are considered felony offenses. Warner and Kinnison were also convicted of tampering with documents or records, which is another felony offense. Along with these felony convictions, they were also found guilty of misdemeanor offenses such as trespassing and disorderly conduct.
According to Kinnison’s lawyer, Nicolai Cocis, Mr. Kinnison is a patriotic citizen who desired to demonstrate his backing for President Trump, whom he firmly believed to be the true victor of the 2020 election. The Associated Press reported that following the conviction, Cocis stated, “He regrets his participation in the events of January 6.”
The men were identified by authorities as members of the “Three Percenters,” an extremist group that derives its name from the false notion that they represent the fraction of colonists who fought against the British in the American Revolution.
A group of individuals coordinated their journey to Washington through a Telegram chat known as “The California Patriots – DC Brigade.” Their intention was to disrupt the certification of Joe Biden’s victory by Congress. These individuals traveled across the country and, following the “Stop the Steal” rally organized by former President Donald Trump, they proceeded to march on the Capitol.
“This is the Capitol storm,” Kinnison remarked as the group made their way through the crowd, according to officials.
Warner, armed with bear spray and a flagpole, bravely faced a line of officers. He urged the rioters to “hold the line” while Martinez, Kinnison, and Mele made their way towards a police line on the northwest lawn, according to prosecutors.
Mele encouraged the crowd, shouting, “Push! Push! Push!” This prompted the officers on the lawn to be overwhelmed, attacked, and compelled to withdraw, according to authorities.
At 2:13 p.m., Warner made his way into the Capitol building by breaking through a smashed window. Upon learning of his successful entry, Martinez, Kinnison, and Mele decided to join him, according to officials.
During their journey, Mele captured a selfie video, enthusiastically exclaiming, “Storm the Capitol!” before he and his companions, dressed in tactical gear and armed with knives and cans of bear spray, successfully entered the building. The authorities took them into custody on June 10, 2021.
According to a 2022 report by Law&Crime, Mele sought approval from a federal judge to relocate to Texas, citing the belief that employers in the state would be more understanding of the charges he was facing in connection with the January 6th insurrection. One of his co-defendants, Alan Hostetter, a former police officer turned yoga instructor, expressed his view in late November 2021 that “traitors need to be executed.” Hostetter was subsequently sentenced to over 11 years in federal prison for his involvement in the riots.
According to officials, in the 39 months since Jan. 6, 2021, over 1,387 individuals have faced charges in relation to the Capitol breach. Among these, nearly 500 individuals have been charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, a felony offense.
