Former Trump administration official convicted of storming the Capitol

Federico Klein joined other Trump supporters in one of the most violent episodes of the riot on January 6, 2021, in clashes with security forces, repeatedly attacking several police officers and urging other protesters to join their efforts to enter at the Capitol.

The prosecution argued that Klein “relentlessly surrounded police officers” as he tried to enter the Capitol and prevent Congress from certifying Democratic candidate Joe Biden’s electoral victory over Trump.

Klein, who did not testify at his trial, refused to speak in court before U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden sentenced him to five years and 10 months in prison.

“Your actions on January 6 were shocking and egregious,” ruled the judge, who also ordered Klein to pay a fine of around 5,000 dollars (around 4,500 euros) in compensation.

Klein worked in the State Department’s Brazilian and South American Affairs office from 2017 until resigning from the position on January 19, 2021, the day before Joe Biden’s inauguration as President.

Prosecutors said that Klein’s participation in the riot was likely motivated by the desire to maintain his position, to which he had been politically appointed by the Trump Administration.

Defense attorney Stanley Woodward accused prosecutors of exaggerating Klein’s role in the riot due to his political ties to the Trump administration.

Prosecutors had recommended a 10-year prison sentence for Klein, a resident of Alexandria, Virginia, who was 42 at the time of the riot.

Klein was detained in March 2021.

In July of this year, Judge McFadden heard trial testimony before sentencing Klein and a co-defendant, Steven Cappuccio, on charges of assault and other crimes related to the Capitol riots.

Klein and Cappuccio were among nine defendants involved in a 53-count case, of which Klein was convicted on 12 counts, including six counts of assault.

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