WASHINGTON, D.C. – Brian Preller, arrested in Hardwick on August 24, 2022, after being charged with felony civil disorder on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol, January 6, 2021, was pardoned, January 20, by President Donald Trump.
courtesy photo from Final Report of the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol
The Presidential Action said, “This proclamation ends a grave national injustice that has been perpetrated upon the American people over the last four years and begins a process of national reconciliation.
“I do hereby grant a full, complete and unconditional pardon to all other individuals convicted of offenses related to events that occurred at or near the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021,” said the section pertaining to Preller.
Following his arrest, Wednesday, August 24, 2022, Preller, 33, appeared in federal court in Rutland for an initial court hearing, reported the Rutland Herald.
He received a felony charge of civil disorder, along with two misdemeanors: entering and remaining in a restricted building, and disorderly conduct in a restricted building, and impeding passage through the capitol grounds or buildings.
VTDigger reported an exchange between Preller and Judge Geoffrey Crawford: “During the hearing, Judge Geoffrey Crawford said he understood that ‘a number of firearms’ were seized as part of Preller’s arrest. ‘Is that your understanding,’ the judge asked Preller. ‘Yes,’ Preller replied.”
Preller was released from court that same day, with plans to return to an Airbnb, noted the VTDigger article later that day.
“Assistant U.S. Attorney Eugenia Cowles did not ask the court to impose cash bail on Preller or keep him detained. Instead, the prosecutor sought several conditions of release, including that Preller not possess any firearms or dangerous weapons, that he stay in Vermont, and that he limit travel to Washington, D.C., only for court appearances or to speak with an attorney,” said the VT Digger story.
Prosecutors claimed Preller was a member of the alt-right group, Guardians of Freedom and was part of the force that stormed its way into the Capitol building that day.
Preller, whose residence is Mount Dora, Fla., pleaded to one count of civil disorder in June 2023.
Preller was sentenced to 60 months probation, to include eight months of location monitoring and was ordered to complete 40 hours of community service and pay $2,000 in restitution.
Paul Fixx is editor of The Hardwick Gazette and lives in Hardwick.
