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Justice Department offers plea deal to Capitol rioter who wore 'Camp Auschwitz' sweatshirt

Robert Packer faces two misdemeanour counts for his involvement in the 6 January riot at the Capitol

Clara Hill
Wednesday 25 August 2021 12:57 BST
Robert Packer, the man who wore a “Camp Auschwitz” sweatshirt, has been offered a plea deal for his involvement for the attempted insurrection at the Capitol
Robert Packer, the man who wore a “Camp Auschwitz” sweatshirt, has been offered a plea deal for his involvement for the attempted insurrection at the Capitol (Department of Justice)

A man wearing a “Camp Auschwitz’ sweatshirt as he stormed the Capitol on 6 January has been offered a plea deal.

Robert Packer, from Virginia, initially pled not guilty to two misdemeanours for his involvement in the attempted coup at the Capitol.

However, prosecutors from the Justice Department have now offered him a plea deal, according to CNN.

Mr Packer became notable as pictures emerged of him sporting a sweatshirt with the anti-Semitic message.

After the photographs went viral, he was arrested in January and was charged with one count of entering or remaining in a restricted building and one count of knowingly intending to impede or disrupt the orderly conduct of government business. No information about what the offer included was provided by the Justice Department.

In July, Paul Allard Hodgkins from Florida became the first person involved in the attempted insurrection to be sentenced. He was given 8 months in prison. It is believed he was given a shorter sentence because he pled guilty.

Mr Packer’s lawyer Stephen F. Brennwald told the court he needed more time with Mr Packer to weigh up the offer.

The Independent reached out for Mr Brennwald for comment.

They are expected back at trial at Washington, DC District Court in October.

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