The alleged riot for the shotgun taken down with his trunk on Nancy Pelosi’s desk will remain under house arrest pending the ruling of the charges that could lure him away for more than a decade.
A federal magistrate has ordered the release of 60-year-old Richard Barnett on “very, very restrictive terms” after a five-hour trial on Friday.
After posting bail of $ 5,000, Barnett will be detained without internet access at his home in Arkansas and, according to Politico, will have to hand over his passport.
His release comes over the objection of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, which has called for another trial so prosecutors can once again argue that he is too dangerous to be released.
Barnett will remain behind bars early until Saturday while the court considers the request, the website said.
Barnett faces charges of disorderly conduct, theft and entering Capitol grounds with a stun gun; a trial date has been set for March.
Prosecutors said during Friday’s trial that Barnett was a dangerous person who tried to avoid captivity by turning off location services on his phone and covering his face after images of him mocked him. [House Speaker Pelosi] and her office ”went viral.
Federal officials also said he “enjoyed this moment of fame a lot” after putting his foot on the desk of the country’s highest-ranking Democrat and boasting about stealing a document.
Prosecutors also played video in which Barnett bought a shock gun, walkie-talkies and pepper spray on New Year’s Eve. Barnett’s girlfriend testified that she encouraged him to bring the weapons to protect himself, reports Politico.
Barnett’s defense attorney, White Plains, Anthony Siano, called about half a dozen character witnesses, emphasizing the fact that Barnett and his family received threats following his prominent role in the uprising on Capitol Hill.
“He appears to be mostly a law-abiding citizen, although there have been incidents that have caused the court to be concerned about the fact that he was armed at a rally,” Magistrate Judge Erin Weidemann conceded.
Barnett could face up to 11 and a half years in prison and a $ 355,000 fine if convicted.
With AP wires