A Brush Prairie man was sentenced to 75 days in federal prison Thursday for unlawfully entering the U.S. Capitol with a pro-Trump mob on Jan. 6, 2021.
Jeffrey Grace, 64, pleaded guilty in April in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., to entering and remaining in a restricted building or ground.
Prosecutors asked Judge Randolph Moss to sentence Grace to the high end of his sentencing range of zero to six months. The state argued Grace was a “probate” member of the Proud Boys and was among the first wave of rioters to enter the Capitol.
After the insurrection, prosecutors say, Grace tried to profit off his participation by creating a YouTube channel and selling merchandise with phrases invoking the riot, according to court records.
The state also said Grace lied to investigators when he said his son did not enter the Capitol and deleted evidence, including photos of them inside the Capitol from his cellphone.
Grace’s defense attorney asked the judge to sentence him to credit for time served, for which he has credited for one day, according to a defense sentencing memo. The attorney argued Grace was unarmed and did not participate in any violence or destruction of property.
Grace, who has no prior criminal history, is remorseful, the memo states.
“It has been 2½ years since this case was charged, and Mr. Grace has fully accepted responsibility of the instant offense, shut down his social media and wants to move forward with his life,” the defense memo states. “From his perspective, the events of Jan. 6 left an indelible stain on his family, career and health. He lost much during this time period, including his job which he held for 27 years and his marriage of 42 years.”
Grace’s son, Jeremy Grace, was sentenced to 21 days in prison for the same crime, court records show.
