Transgender defendant who sought to 'kill Scott Bessent' sentenced to more than 6 years in prison
A biological male who identifies as a woman was sentenced to 63 months (6 years and 1 month) Tuesday for a plot to "kill" Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent .
Prosecutors sought at least 10 years in prison for Riley Jane English, 25, who was identified by the Justice Department as Ryan Michael English.
U.S.
District Judge Rudolf Contreras, an appointee of former President Barack Obama, sentenced English after a guilty plea to two counts related to the attempt to kill Bessent and carrying a dangerous weapon on the grounds of the Capitol on Jan.
27, 2025.
"The offense is very serious," said Contreras, adding that "Miss English" was concerned with "trans rights" and came to the Capitol with a folding knife and two small Molotov cocktails, "which probably would not have ignited." ARMED MAN ARRESTED AT US CAPITOL BARRICADE AS POLICE PROBE WHY HE DROVE ONTO RESTRICTED GROUNDS Contreras said English is a 26-year-old trans woman who has many physical and mental health issues which were exacerbated by drug usage.
The calculation for the sentencing range was 97 to 121 months, and Department of Justice prosecutor Brendan Horan asked for a sentence at the top end of the suggested range, but Contreras said he believed the range was too high.
"No one was harmed," the judge said Tuesday.
"The plan was basically impossible to succeed, and she turned herself in before it came anywhere near fruition." Contreras also noted that the probation department recommended a sentence of 60 months.
English has served roughly 20 months in prison already and will get credit for that time served, as well as three years of probation after the sentence.
"You’ve had a very difficult life with a lot of challenges," Contreras told English.
"You’re young, you still have a significant portion of your life.
Good luck to you." The defense team requested that English be placed in a female prison.
Contreras said he would pass the request to the Bureau of Prisons.
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