Palmyra Man Sentenced for U.S. Capitol Attack
A 44-year-old man from Palmyra, Leo Brent Bozell IV, has been sentenced to 45 months in federal prison for his involvement in the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. The sentencing was handed down by U.S. District Judge John D. Bates, who also ordered Bozell to serve three months of supervised release and pay $4,729 in restitution. Bozell was found guilty of 10 charges, including four felonies, on September 8, 2023.
Federal Prosecution
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section prosecuted the case, with valuable assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.
Bozell’s Role in the Attack
Bozell played a significant role in the Capitol breach, positioning himself at key entry points and actively propelling the mob’s momentum from the Senate Wing Doors to the Senate Chamber, where he rendered it impossible for Congress to meet. Prosecutors highlighted his involvement in multiple pivotal breaches during the attack.
Conviction and Charges
Bozell was found guilty of obstructing an official proceeding, destruction of government property, civil disorder, and assaulting, resisting, or impeding officers. He attended the “Stop the Steal” rally at the Ellipse before proceeding to the Capitol grounds, where he was among the first group of rioters to enter the building.
Violent Acts
As the chaos unfolded, Bozell used a bike rack barrier to climb and supply violent rioters with objects, including a metal pole. He participated in overrunning police lines and played a role in breaking windows to gain access to restricted areas of the Capitol.
Criminal Actions
Bozell chased Capitol Police officers through the building, entered Nancy Pelosi’s office, and obstructed the recording of CSPAN cameras in the Senate Gallery. He was eventually identified and arrested in February 2021, partially due to his distinctive clothing worn during the riot.
Legal Defense
Bozell’s lawyer sought a three-year prison sentence, attributing his client’s actions to a lapse in judgment rather than a deliberate intent to commit violence or destruction. However, the court ultimately sentenced Bozell to 45 months in prison.
Investigation and Charges
The case was investigated by the FBI’s Philadelphia and Washington Field Offices, with assistance from the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department. Bozell’s sentencing is part of a broader effort to hold individuals accountable for crimes related to the U.S. Capitol breach.
Matthew Toth is a reporter for the Lebanon Daily News. Reach him at mtoth@ldnews.com or on X at @DAMattToth.
Read More of this Story at www.poconorecord.com – 2024-05-17 19:32:32
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