Transgender defendant sentenced to more than 6 years for plot to 'kill Scott Bessent'

Key Points:

• Riley Jane English, a 26-year-old transgender woman, was sentenced to 73 months in prison for a plot to kill Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, following a guilty plea to charges related to the attempt and carrying dangerous weapons on Capitol grounds.
• U.S. District Judge Rudolf Contreras noted English's serious mental and physical health issues, as well as the implausibility of the plot, and sentenced her below the recommended range of 97 to 121 months, crediting her for 20 months already served and ordering three years of probation.
• English traveled from Massachusetts to Washington, D.C., intending to kill Bessent or attack a think tank, but abandoned the plan after seeing heavy security and ultimately turned herself in to Capitol Police with a knife and Molotov cocktails.
• Prosecutors linked English’s motive to anger over Bessent’s comments on federal minimum wage and cited prior considerations of other government officials and targets; the Justice Department emphasized the importance of protecting public officials from threats.
• English expressed remorse during sentencing, citing mental health struggles and a desire to get sober and start a family, while the defense requested placement in a female prison, with the judge referring the matter to the Bureau of Prisons.