Couy Griffin sentenced to 14 days, $3,000 fine for Jan. 6 misdemeanor convictions

Otero County Commissioner Couy Griffin was sentenced to 14 days in jail and fined $3,000 for his role in the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capital.

Griffin was arrested following the Jan. 6 riot and charged with two misdemeanor charges of entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds and for disorderly conduct.

Judge Trevor McFadden found Griffin guilty on March 22 of trespassing on the Capitol grounds, but acquitted him of disorderly conduct. Griffin chose to have a bench trial rather than present his case to a jury.

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McFadden also presided over Griffin's sentencing on the trespassing charge June 17 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

In addition to the 14 days - which Griffin had already served in 20 days of pre-trial detention - he will complete community service and undergo 1 year of supervised release.

During his trial earlier this year, Griffin said he did not enter the Capitol building or engage in violence that day. Rather, he maintained, he was there to lead participants in prayer.

Prosecutors in his case pointed to video of Griffin climbing over barricades and walls at the Capitol and comments Griffin made in Otero County Commission meetings before and after his arrival in D.C. as evidence Griffin intended to rile the crowds present that day.

The New Mexico Attorney General's Office told the Alamogordo Daily News in March that a conviction could lead to Griffin's removal from public office.

Griffin, who was released on his own recognizances following his conviction, declined to vacate his seat. He did not, however, seek re-election to the District 2 Commission seat.

Jessica Onsurez can be reached at jonsurez@gannett.com and at @JussGREAT on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Carlsbad Current-Argus: Couy Griffin sentenced to 14 days, $3K fine for Jan. 6 convictions