Most of the 230 people arrested after Saturday’s anti-Trump riots in Washington, DC, will be charged with “felony rioting”—and are now facing big fines and a lot of time behind bars.
“Felony rioting” in the District of Columbia carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine. The crime is defined as groups of 5 or more people causing “serious bodily harm” or more than $5,000 in property damage “by tumultuous and violent conduct.”
An estimated 2,500 rioters hit the streets, mostly dressed in all black and wearing masks, as President Trump was sworn in across town. In addition to injuring 6 Washington police officers, rioters vandalized a number of downtown businesses, including a Starbucks, a McDonald’s, and a Bank of America, and set a limousine on fire.
Police ultimately used tear gas, pepper spray, and a water cannon to break up the riots, so they could begin arresting the perpetrators.
217 of the rioters appeared in front of DC’s Superior Court throughout the day on Sunday, where they were made aware of the charges against them. Most were released without bail, but will have to come back to Washington for a trial sometime in the spring.
It’s not yet clear how many, if any, of the rioters will received the maximum sentence if found guilty.