Image by Richard Burton from Pixabay
August 18, 2023 - WASHINGTON - A Florida man was sentenced in the District of Columbia on Aug. 16, 2023 on felony and misdemeanor charges related to his actions during the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol. His actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the presidential election.
Bradley Wayne Weeks, 44, of Macclenny, Florida, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge John D. Bates to 10 months in prison, 24 months of supervised release with 12 months of home detention, and ordered to pay $2,000 in restitution.
Weeks was found guilty on Dec. 9, 2022, following a bench trial before U.S. District Judge Thomas Hogan of obstruction of an official proceeding, a felony; entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds; disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds; disorderly conduct in a capitol building; parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building.
According to evidence presented during the trial and court documents, as early as Dec. 23, 2020, Weeks announced he was going to Washington, D.C., and anticipated that if the former President was not kept in power, Weeks and others would “burn the whole f*cking thing down.” Weeks also claimed, “We will be packing.”
On Jan. 6, 2021, Weeks attended the “Stop the Steal” rally at the Ellipse, then marched to the Capitol building with co-defendant Jonathan Daniel Carlton. As they moved towards the Capitol grounds, Weeks filmed a video of the crowd and stated, “We are marching to the Capitol building, Ladies and Gentleman, to show these Congressmen who runs America.”
Upon reaching the Upper West Terrance of the Capitol, Weeks set the camera to record himself, declaring, "We've reached the steps. We've had to climb scaffolding. We've had to climb ladders. We've had to break things to get through, but we've gotten through. We've gotten through, and we are taking back the Capitol! We're taking back our country! This is our 1776! This is where it's gonna happen! This is where Tyranny will fall! This is where America will rise! Look at this, America! Look at this!" He then turned the camera back toward the lawn. Weeks entered the Capitol building at 3:08 p.m.
Weeks and Carlton then moved further into the building, walking to the Crypt and eventually reaching the Hall of Columns on the south side of the Capitol. After reaching the Hall of Columns and seeing the police officers there dealing with other rioters, Carlton and Weeks turned back and retraced their steps through the Capitol.
While Weeks was still inside the Capitol, he received a text message from his mother expressing concern that his grandmother would die over his actions. Weeks responded, “Our country is dying.” Weeks and Carlton exited through the Senate Wing door at 3:29 p.m.
Co-defendant Jonathan Daniel Carlton previously pleaded guilty and was sentenced for his role in the matter.
This case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. Valuable assistance was provided by U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida.
This case was investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office. Valuable assistance was provided by the FBI’s Jacksonville Field Office and the U.S. Capitol Police.
In the 31 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,106 individuals have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 350 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement.
Source: DOJ Release
