A rioter who took part in the January 6 insurrection at the Capitol has been sentenced to jail time after defending herself by claiming "dark energy forces" compelled her to storm the Capitol.
Mariposa Castro, who is also known as Imelda Acosta, claimed in court she didn't mean to be involved in the insurrection and wishes she had done things differently. Her attorney Elita Amato called her involvement a mistake.
District Judge Reggie B. Walton had a different take on her involvement, and sentenced her to 45 days in prison and a $5000 fine for her involvement in the coup attempt.
BREAKING: A Capitol rioter proclaimed to a judge that \u201cdark energy forces\u201d had led her to storm the Capitol through a broken window on Jan. 6, when she declared "civil war.\u201d\n\nShe\u2019s been sentenced to prison.https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/capitol-rioter-declared-civil-war-jan-6-sentenced-prison-rcna17287\u00a0\u2026— Ryan J. Reilly (@Ryan J. Reilly) 1645630467
Throughout the proceedings, Castro and her attorney cast her actions as an unintentional and unfortunate mistake. A tearful Castro told Judge Walton:
"I don't glorify my actions. I got caught up on the energy, and if I could go back and change things over, I definitely would have brought more peace."
Amato took a similar tack, saying her client "got caught up in everything" and characterized her actions as a huge mistake.
"She should have left. She had a lapse of judgement, she really did."
Castro added that "dark energy forces" seemed to have "sucked" her into the Capitol. Shockingly, that defense didn't work on Judge Walton, who noted Castro "seemed to be all in" on her storming of the Capitol in the videos she made of herself doing so.
Those videos showed Castro not only celebrating her actions, but characterizing the insurrection as a war and imploring others to join.
"War just started. It’s just the beginning. As Trump says, ‘the best is yet to come..."
"... I’m literally by myself. They told me not to be on my own, to find a crowd. And I’m by myself. That just shows how brave I am."
"If I can do this, you guys can do this."
Castro did not specify whether "dark forces" also compelled her to film her attempt at overthrowing the government.
On Twitter, Castro engendered very little sympathy.
Is "dark energy forces" a euphemism for black people's votes being counted?— KCovington (@KCovington) 1645630912
So \u201cthe devil made me do it\u201d? Hmmmpic.twitter.com/ti7ftDCgDJ— Lorraine \u201cRun for local office / Save democracy\u201d (@Lorraine \u201cRun for local office / Save democracy\u201d) 1645631604
enjoy prison energy.https://twitter.com/ryanjreilly/status/1496508762470981633\u00a0\u2026— THEE Jessica Stark (@THEE Jessica Stark) 1645639234
Bitch got 1 month for blaming black magichttps://twitter.com/ryanjreilly/status/1496508762470981633\u00a0\u2026— Twisted Steel & (@Twisted Steel &) 1645633356
Over 300,000,000 people were able to keep themselves from getting caught up in the moment.https://twitter.com/ryanjreilly/status/1496508762470981633\u00a0\u2026— twist (@twist) 1645647034
Ohhh, the excuses now include evil magical powers. Darth Vader & his "dark energy forces"made her do it. Capitol rioter who declared 'civil war' on Jan. 6 sentenced to prison https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/capitol-rioter-declared-civil-war-jan-6-sentenced-prison-rcna17287\u00a0\u2026 via @nbcnews— Anon Source (@Anon Source) 1645645510
I'm shocked (shocked I say) this defense didn't work out.\n\nTearful MAGA rioter gets prison time after blaming 'dark energy forces' for luring her into the Capitolhttps://www.rawstory.com/trump-supporter-who-declared-this-is-war-during-capitol-riot-gets-jail-sentence/\u00a0\u2026— #NothingMatters \ud83c\udf0a (@#NothingMatters \ud83c\udf0a) 1645641616
Did that "dark energy force" sound like Donald Trump?https://www.rawstory.com/trump-supporter-who-declared-this-is-war-during-capitol-riot-gets-jail-sentence/\u00a0\u2026— Tea Pain (@Tea Pain) 1645639760
PLAY STUPID GAMES, WIN STUPID PRIZES: Tearful #MAGA rioter gets prison time and $5000 fine\n\nJust a heads up for the #TrumpTrain #Republican #KAG domestic terrorists. The "dark energy forces" defense isn't going to flyhttps://www.rawstory.com/trump-supporter-who-declared-this-is-war-during-capitol-riot-gets-jail-sentence/\u00a0\u2026— \ud83c\udde8\ud83c\udde6 Monte Alto \ud83c\uddec\ud83c\udde7 (@\ud83c\udde8\ud83c\udde6 Monte Alto \ud83c\uddec\ud83c\udde7) 1645643732
Castro is just the latest to be charged of some 740 people arrested so far for their involvement in the January 6 coup attempt. It is believed more than 2,500 people in total committed chargeable offenses during the riots.