A Panorama City man received a federal prison sentence of over four years on Tuesday for his involvement in the breach of the U.S. Capitol on January 6. Edward Badalian, a former resident of North Hills, was previously convicted of conspiracy, obstruction of an official proceeding, and entering a restricted building. In a hearing held in Washington D.C., U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson sentenced Badalian to 51 months in prison and 36 months of supervised release.
Prosecutors repeatedly cited a chat message in which Badalian urged his followers to violently remove traitors and replace them with patriots. He joined thousands of other Trump supporters in attempting to halt the certification of President Joe Biden’s electoral victory during the Capitol breach. Prior to the riot, Badalian and his co-defendant Daniel Rodriguez created a group chat on the Telegram app called “Patriots 45 MAGA Gang.” Prosecutors claim that the chat advocated violence against individuals and groups who supported the 2020 presidential election results and planned a violent revolution.
In addition to his online messages, Badalian and Rodriguez participated in pro-Trump and anti-coronavirus mask mandate rallies across Southern California before January 6. They allegedly collected weapons and tactical gear before traveling to Washington D.C. Both men entered the Capitol building through a broken window and went through lawmakers’ desks.
Prosecutors referenced a photo that Badalian posted online after his trial, showing him wearing an ankle monitor and giving a thumbs-up. They argued that he has not taken responsibility or expressed regret for his actions on January 6.
In his defense, Badalian’s attorney, Robert Helfend, stated that his client went to Washington D.C. to show support for then-President Trump, who had made claims attacking the integrity of the election. Helfend blamed Trump’s falsehoods for creating anger and uncertainty in Badalian.
According to an NBC News report, Badalian interrupted the judge during his sentencing and proclaimed that arresting traitors would protect the Capitol. The judge responded by calling Badalian a “legend in your own mind” and “a hero in your own head.” As Badalian was being taken into custody, he declared, “This is what you get for defending the Capitol building.”
Badalian’s co-defendant, Rodriguez, has already been sentenced to over 12 years in federal prison after admitting to using an electroshock weapon on a Metropolitan Police Officer during the January 6 riot. Both men are among more than two dozen Southern California residents charged in connection with the Capitol insurrection.
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