Skip to content

Sarah Michelle Gellar Honors Michelle Trachtenberg

Search AI Powered
Human content, AI powered search.

Latest Stories

Capitol Rioter Who Livestreamed Jan. 6 Mocked For Blowing Up Plea Deal With 'Innocent' Claim

Capitol Rioter Who Livestreamed Jan. 6 Mocked For Blowing Up Plea Deal With 'Innocent' Claim
Department of Justice; Samuel Corum/Getty Images
Peter Karleby
By Peter KarlebyMay 12, 2022
Peter Karleby
Peter Karleby is a writer, content producer and performer originally from Michigan. His writing has also appeared on YourTango, Delish and Medium, and he has produced content for NBC, The New York Times and The CW, among others. When not working, he can be found tripping over his own feet on a hiking trail while singing Madonna songs to ward off lurking bears.
See Full Bio

A Capitol rioter who proved his guilt by live-streaming his activities on January 6 had a plea deal all ready to go—all he had to do was plead guilty.

Instead, he pleaded innocent and blew his chance at a reduced sentence.

Far-right influencer Anthime Joseph Gionet, known online as "Baked Alaska," was being charged with just one misdemeanor count as part of the plea deal, but he will now be charged with a felony and face a criminal trial which have not gone well for other rioters.

Gionet's stunt left the internet slack-jawed.

Gionet was originally charged with more serious crimes.

Gionet's plea deal meant he would need to plead guilty—a requirement for plea deals unless specifically stated otherwise—to one single misdemeanor charge for having "willfully and knowingly paraded, demonstrated, and picketed" inside the Capitol building, a charge that would typically result in a very light sentence.

But when Judge Emmet G. Sullivan asked for his guilty plea, Gionet seemed intent on pointing out he believed he was innocent, seemingly unaware this amounts to a plea of not guilty.

He told Judge Sullivan:

"I wanted to go to trial, but the prosecutors [said] if I [went] to trial, they would put a felony on me, so I think this is probably the better route."
"I believe I'm innocent ..."

According to BuzzFeed News reporter Zoe Tillman, who was in the courtroom, Judge Sullivan simply replied:

"Well fine, pick a trial date."


Sullivan set the trial for March 2023, at which Gionet will now face federal charges for crimes he filmed himself committing.

As several experts pointed out, comments Gionet has made about his plea deal indicate he has likely already cooperated with prosecutors in providing information about the insurrection.

If he goes to trial, that information can now be used against him.


Twitter, of course, had a field day with Gionet's gaffe.

There was very little sympathy for him.

@People4Words/Twitter

@People4Words/Twitter







After discussions with Gionet's attorneys, lead prosecutor Liz Aloi granted him 60 days to reconsider his plea.

Godspeed to his lawyers.

Latest News

Pope Leo
Trending

White Sox Fan Pope Leo's Trolling Response To Someone Shouting 'Go Cubs!' Has The Internet Cackling

screenshot of CNN interview of Tim Sheehy by Kaitlan Collins
Donald Trump

MAGA Senator Stunned Into Silence After CNN Host Brutally Fact-Checks Him On Trump Funding Cuts

Tim Walz; Karoline Leavitt
Political News

Tim Walz Offers Perfect Clapback After Karoline Leavitt Makes Bonkers Claim About Democratic Voters

Screenshot from u/Reality_Rose/Reddit
Trending

Thrifter Floored After Finding Poignant Notes From Original Owner Left In Vintage Purses

More from Trending

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

AOC Has Mic Drop Response To MAGA Republicans Who Try To Mock 'Democratic Priorities'

New York Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez issued a powerful rebuke against President Donald Trump and the MAGA movement, pointing out why mocking things like affordable housing and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as "Democrat priorities" ultimately hurts Republicans.

Ocasio-Cortez, speaking during a CNN town hall alongside Vermont Independent Senator Bernie Sanders, accused Republicans of refusing to work to end the government shutdown, stressing that the country’s health care system could collapse if Republicans refuse to meet Democrats’ demands in negotiations.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshots from New Berlin Public Library's 'trust fall' skit
@newberlinlibrary/Instagram

Wisconsin Public Library Has Internet Cackling With Unexpectedly Hilarious 'Trust Fall' Video

When we think of the library, we think of books awaiting us on the shelves—but the New Berlin Public Library in Wisconsin is here to remind us that public libraries contain so much more.

This library in particular contains a "Library of Things," in which the public can access otherwise expensive items for free, like boardgames, learning resources, and even Halloween costumes.

Keep ReadingShow less
Dave Taylor
Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

GOP Rep. Blames Coordinated 'Ruse' After Swastika Image Is Seen Displayed In His Office

Ohio Republican Representative Dave Taylor demanded an investigation after a swastika image was found on display in his Washington, D.C., office, and blamed it on a "targeted" "ruse."

Politico obtained a photo from a virtual meeting showing a distorted image of the American flag—its red and white lines altered into the shape of a swastika— pinned to what appears to be a cubicle wall behind Angelo Elia, a staffer for Taylor. Beside it hung a pocket Constitution and a congressional calendar. Elia’s involvement in the incident, if any, remains unclear.

Keep ReadingShow less
A kitchen counter with appliances all over it
sink beside window
Photo by Arun Clarke on Unsplash

Everyday Items People Didn't Realize Were Super Expensive Until They Had To Buy Them

As children, we dream of becoming adults.

Living our own lives in our own homes, no longer under the rules and regulations of our parents.

Keep ReadingShow less
deceased family dog named Chop
KFOX14/CBS4

Popular Account 'We Rate Dogs' Unloads On Border Patrol For Killing Family's Beloved Dog During Search

As the internet evolved, certain social media accounts became known for providing wholesome, feel good content, like I Can Has Cheezburger?, The Dodo, and We Rate Dogs. Unsurprisingly, all three focus primarily on animals, offering amusing or heartfelt stories, videos, and memes as an escape from the trials and tribulations of daily life.

But the folks at We Rate Dogs recently took a departure from their usual content.

Keep ReadingShow less