11 people convicted in alleged Antifa counterprotests in Pacific Beach

SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — A judge on Friday sentenced all 11 defendants in the 2021 Pacific Beach counterprotest that turned violent.

The San Diego District Attorney said the case is now closed.

A so-called Patriot March took place on January 9, just days after the insurrection at the Capitol.

Prosecutors say the self-described “anti-fascist” Antifa group showed up with pepper spray, baseball bats and Tasers, injuring several people.

Eight defendants were brought before a judge on Friday and all were sentenced to prison.

The defendant whom prosecutors considered the most violent, Bryan Cortez Lightfoot, was sentenced to two years in prison.

Lightfoot apologized before his sentencing and showed remorse.

The alleged ringleader, Jeremy Johnathan White, was sentenced to two years in prison.

His friend told ABC 10News he believed White was a morally upright man and would continue to protest.

“I think it’s a sad day for the American justice system that people who voluntarily decide to fight for their communities and fight for the underprivileged can now be lumped in with stupid conspiracy charges, like they’re members of the mafia or some kind of organized crime,” Kyle Eleveld said.

Several defendants following Lightfoot spoke on their behalf, apologizing to victims of the riots.

The judge appreciated their remorse but remained firm in his belief that the violence and anger should not be the result of political bias.