Mahopac Man Pleads Guilty in Jan. 6 Capitol Riot
A Mahopac man pled guilty last week to charges relating to his involvement in the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol building in Washington D.C.
According to a published report, Robert Ballesteros, 27, appeared before District Court Judge Dabney Friedrich by video on Oct. 28 and pled guilty to the misdemeanor charge of “demonstrating or picketing.”
Facing a maximum of six months in prison and a fine up to $5,000, Ballesteros negotiated a deal before his appearance and paid just $500 in restitution. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 27.
According to The Journal News, Ballesteros was charged in a sealed criminal complaint on Jan. 20 but wasn’t arrested until March 15. He turned himself in to the FBI in Rye.
Ballesteros reportedly told Friedrich he entered the Capitol at about 2:15 p.m. through a main entrance that other rioters already had forced open. He conceded he was aware he wasn’t allowed inside, but later posted a video on Instagram confirming his participation.
Nine other individuals from the Hudson Valley region were among the more than 600 suspects that have been arrested to date.
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