On Monday, a federal judge sentenced a former Virginia rapper to five months in prison for using a photograph of himself at the Capitol riot on an album cover.
Antionne Brodnax, also known as “Bugzie the Don,” pleaded guilty to four misdemeanor counts in October 2021 after rejecting a plea agreement for a single count. Brodnax, who had relocated to Georgia after his detention, entered the United States Capitol Building on January 6 and used an image of himself smoking on a vehicle outside as the cover of an album named “The Capital.”
Prosecutors suggested that he should be sentenced to 21 months in jail for a petty offense because of Brodnax’s extensive criminal history. Prior felony convictions for producing a controlled substance and being a felon in possession of a firearm in Virginia and Maryland are included.
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The Justice Department also stated that Brodnax merited a sentencing enhancement for removing evidence from his phone after offering to submit the FBI images and videos of the riot. U.S. District Judge Paul Friedman concurred on Monday, saying that Brodnax had wilfully hindered the administration of justice.
Mary Maguire, Brodnax’s counsel, pushed for a probationary sentence with home detention if required. In court documents, she portrayed Brodnax as a “great community asset” and an entrepreneur with a small clothing line and music label.
Friedman expressed concern about Brodnax’s long criminal past, a litany of disciplinary concerns while in detention, and the fact that he was on probation for another offense when he entered the Capitol on Jan. 6.
“He’s had a problem historically with following conditions imposed upon him,” Friedman said.
Friedman ultimately sentenced Brodnax to five months in prison, followed by a year of supervised release. Brodnax was allowed to turn himself in to authorities.
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