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Social Media Posts, Political Speech Become Big Issues in Jan. 6 Sentencing Hearing

by Joseph M. Hanneman


Although Micajah Joel Jackson was in federal court Thursday to be sentenced on one count of parading, picketing, or demonstrating at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, much of the hearing was dominated by discussion of his social media activity and the political content of his postings.

Jackson, 26, of Phoenix, was set to be sentenced in Washington D.C. as part of a plea deal with federal prosecutors, who are especially upset with his prolific postings on Twitter and other social-media outlets. The parading charge is a petty misdemeanor that carries a possible six-month jail sentence. Prosecutors sought 60 days in jail (pdf), while the defense argued (pdf) for 60 days of home detention.

The U.S. Marine Corps veteran was accused of being near some of the rioting at the U.S. Capitol, shouting “oath breakers” at police, and spending about 30 minutes walking through the building. Prosecutors repeatedly cited Jackson’s interviews and posts on video podcasts, Twitter, and other social-media outlets, and his propagation of alleged misinformation…


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