A Florida stay-at-home dad who stole House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s lectern during last year’s Capitol insurrection and bragged about his involvement in the fatal riots online could face a 90-day prison sentence and ‘substantial fine’.
Adam Johnson, 37, bragged that he ‘broke the internet’ and was ‘finally famous’ after photos of him carrying the podium went viral.
Federal prosecutors, in a sentencing memo filed Friday, argue the father-of-five showed a ‘sense of entitlement and privilege’ with his actions during the riot and that the viral photograph ‘portrays Johnson as confident, arguably gleeful, while converting government property to his own use during an unlawful siege of the Capitol.’
The government is seeking a sentence of 90 days imprisonment followed by one year parole, a $5,000 fine, $500 in restitution and 60 hours of community service.
The prosecution also tried to justify the large sum by arguing that Johnson and his wife, who is a doctor, are in a ‘financial situation so favorable that [he] has not had to work for the past 11 years.’
‘In addition, Johnson has privately retained not one, but two, reputable attorneys. Surely, then, he can afford a substantial fine to reimburse taxpayers for his part in the mob that caused significant damage to the United States Capitol and has resulted in enormous burdens on the criminal justice system,’ the memo states.
Johnson, who has five sons between the ages of 6 and 14, pleaded guilty to entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds in November. He had also been charged with theft of government property and violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds, but both of those charges were dismissed. His sentencing is scheduled for Friday.
Stay-at-home dad Adam Johnson, 37, who stole Nancy Pelosi’s podium during the Capitol riot faces a sentence of 90 days imprisonment followed by one year parole, a $5,000 fine, $500 in restitution and 60 hours of community service (Pictured: The now-viral photograph of Johnson carrying Pelosi’s lectern)
Johnson’s attorneys, in a statement to NBC News, claim he ‘deeply regrets his participation in the breach of the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.’
His legal team argues his ‘life-changing decision’ to enter the Capitol has ‘negatively impacted his family’ and have asked the court to ‘consider the significant and negative impact that incarceration would have on his sons.’
They also argued that prosecutors wouldn’t be considering jail time if he had been photographed with any other piece of Capitol furniture.
‘Unfortunately, he received considerable attention simply because the lectern belonged to Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi,’ the attorneys wrote.
‘Arguably, if he latched onto some other piece of government furniture for his photo opportunity jail time would not even be a consideration.’
Prosecutors argue the father-of-five showed a ‘sense of entitlement and privilege’ with his actions during the riot and that the viral photograph ‘portrays Johnson as confident, arguably gleeful, while converting government property to his own use during an unlawful siege of the Capitol.’ He is pictured in front of a Capitol sign
His attorneys claim Johnson (pictured at the riot) ‘deeply regrets his participation in the breach of the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.’ They also argued his ‘life-changing decision’ to enter the Capitol has ‘negatively impacted his family’ and have asked the court to ‘consider the significant and negative impact that incarceration would have on his sons’
![The prosecution also tried to justify the large fine by arguing that Johnson (pictured at the riot) and his wife, who is a doctor, are in a 'financial situation so favorable that [he] has not had to work for the past 11 years'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/02/22/18/54515129-10539879-image-a-155_1645554513887.jpg)
The prosecution also tried to justify the large fine by arguing that Johnson (pictured at the riot) and his wife, who is a doctor, are in a ‘financial situation so favorable that [he] has not had to work for the past 11 years’
Johnson was arrested by federal marshals in Florida in January 2021, just days after he was seen parading through the Capitol on Jan. 6 with Pelosi’s lectern.
Court documents reveal that the FBI consulted with members of the Pelosi’s staff to determine the lectern was stored in the Speaker’s Suite, located under a staircase to the third floor on the House side of the building.
The podium was found on January 7 by a member of the Senate staff in the Red corridor of the Senate wing off the Rotunda in the Capitol building. It is worth more than $1,000, according to the House of Representatives’ curator.
Photos on his now-deleted social media accounts also showed him posing next to a sign reading ‘closed to all tours’ inside the building.
Johnson, a psychology graduate turned furniture maker, has previously faced possession of marijuana and violation of probation charges.
Johnson (pictured with his attorneys in January 2021) was arrested by federal marshals in Florida just days after he was seen parading through the Capitol on Jan. 6 with Pelosi’s lectern
The FBI has made more than 740 arrests in connection to the January 6 insurrection during which hundreds of supporters of former President Donald Trump attempted to block congressional certification of President Joe Biden’s November 2020 election victory by storming the Capitol
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has made more than 740 arrests in connection to the January 6 insurrection during which hundreds of supporters of former President Donald Trump attempted to block congressional certification of President Joe Biden’s November 2020 election victory by storming the Capitol.
Five people died the day of the riot, including Capitol Police officer Brian Sicknick.
There are still more than 350 people wanted by the FBI in connection to the attack.
Federal investigators estimate the total number of people who could be charged is more than 2,500.
