January 6 Rioter Richard Barnett, Who Took Photo In Pelosi’s Chair, Sentenced To 4-Years In Prison

Richard “Bigo” Barnett was sentenced to four years and a half years in prison for his participation in the attack on the Capitol on January 6, 2021.

Barnett became one of the faces of the insurrection after being photographed with his feet resting on Nancy Pelosi‘s (D-California) desk.

Barnett was convicted on eight charges in January. The charges included disorderly conduct while carrying a dangerous weapon, obstruction of an official proceeding, and mail theft. He faced up to 20 years in prison.

The court outlined Barnett’s actions in the former Speaker’s office. Barnett spent 10 minutes in the office where he rested his feet on the desk and wrote a note to Pelosi, calling her a “b—-.” He also carried a stun gun while breaking into the office. Barnett then took an envelope and paraded it around to other rioters.

Pelosi and her staff were not in the office during the Insurrection. “I shudder to think what would have happened if those staffers were there, or God forbid, the Speaker,” District Judge Christopher Cooper said.

Before the sentencing, Barnett did not show any remorse for his actions and said he will appeal his case. “They want me to be remorseful for things I did not do. I’m obviously appealing this case,” he said.

Article by Quinn Casey

Quinn Casey is a rising junior at Williams College. He is a political science and studio art double major and leadership studies concentration from Scranton, Pa. He is an political reporting intern. Email: tqc1@williams.edu.