Ex-police chief convicted for spreading false Jan. 6 claims in Capitol attack

Alan Hostetter, a former California police chief who participated in the Capitol attack on January 6, 2021, and spread conspiracy theories about the event, has been found guilty of four charges, including conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding and entering restricted grounds with a deadly weapon. Hostetter, who possessed a hatchet during the attack, claimed it was stolen from his truck, but the judge rejected this defense. The judge emphasized that while individuals have the right to their beliefs, they do not have the right to obstruct Congress or enter restricted areas with dangerous weapons. Hostetter represented himself during the trial, which featured testimony from one of his co-defendants. Over 1,000 people have been charged in connection with the Capitol attack, with the total number of potential charges exceeding 3,000.