Courts

January 6th Rioter Finds Out What Happens When You F Around With A Federal Judge

Bro, you aren't going to win.

By Kathryn Rubino on March 04, 2024 5:17 pm
Fellows via DOJ

Brandon Fellows via Department of Justice

On January 6th, 2021, Brandon Fellows was among the Capitol rioters. He entered through a broken window and made himself at home in the office of Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), lighting up marijuana joint in an infamous picture from the insurrection. As a result, he was convicted of a felony and four misdemeanors.

But rather than appear contrite during sentencing, Fellows exchanged heated words with U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden. Word to the wise: if you’re battling a judge during sentencing, you’re about to lose.

Judge McFadden reportedly told Fellows, “You have repeatedly made a mockery of these proceedings,” and “There is no grand conspiracy here against you,” and “It’s time for you to grow up!” He then handed down a three-and-a-half-year sentence.

And it wasn’t the first time Fellows’s behavior has become an issue. He previously called McFadden a “modern day Nazi judge” and himself  “your favorite Political prisoner.” Fellows was so unhinged during trial that the jury wanted to make sure he had no personally identifying information for any of them.

Kathryn Rubino is a Senior Editor at Above the Law, host of The Jabot podcast, and co-host of Thinking Like A Lawyer. AtL tipsters are the best, so please connect with her. Feel free to email her with any tips, questions, or comments and follow her on Twitter @Kathryn1 or Mastodon @[email protected].