A Pennsylvania man accused of taking part in the US Capitol riot was sentenced to six months probation this week after telling court he was now working as a pizza delivery driver after losing his job in the insurance following the insurrection.
Edward McAlanis pleaded guilty in November 2021 to one count of marching, demonstrating or picketing the United States Capitol. He initially faced four counts, including violent entry and disorderly and disruptive conduct in a Capitol building. But as the government scrambles to prosecute the more than 750 people arrested in connection with the attack, federal prosecutors have offered several rioters lesser charges in exchange for their guilty pleas.
Judge Dabney Friedrich on Tuesday sentenced McAlanis to six months probation, $500 restitution and 60 hours of community service.
During his hearing, McAlanis revealed he was fired from his “high-paying” financial job after his arrest in July 2021, according to CNN. A lawyer for McAlanis has asked for leniency, arguing that his client has already been punished for his participation in the siege, citing McAlanis’ new part-time job, delivering pizza.
“It was just a horrible day in many ways,” McAlanis said, according to the outlet. “Coming back, I wish I could take it back, but I can’t.”
McAlanis told the judge he planned to learn from this experience. He hopes to be reappointed to his position on his city’s parks and recreation board after resigning following his arrest, CNN reported.
Prosecutors say two tipsters, an acquaintance and a family friend alerted the FBI to his presence in the insurgency, sharing photos of him inside the Capitol on January 6. McAlanis spent about 15 minutes inside the building, during which he posed for a photo in front of a statue of Abraham Lincoln, according to the charging documents.
A lawyer for McAlanis did not immediately respond to Insider’s request for comment.
McAlanis is the latest Capitol rioter to lament the personal and professional consequences of the crimes committed on January 6. Earlier this week, a Texas attorney told Insider’s Yelena Dzhanova that he lost his job, fiancé and friends as a result of the riot.
“Everything I had worked hard for 10 years evaporated overnight,” said Paul Davis.
