Jan. 6 panel witness avoids prison time

Stephen Ayres, who testified at a televised Jan. 6 House committee hearing in July, avoided prison time on Thursday when a federal judge sentenced him to two years of probation for his involvement in the Capitol riot.

After apologizing to police officers over the summer, Ayres, a 41-year-old from Ohio, asked for the court and the "American people" to forgive him during his sentencing Thursday, The Associated Press reported.

U.S. District Judge John Bates also ordered Ayres to complete 100 hours of community service in addition to probation. 

The judge said he thinks Ayres is genuinely remorseful for his actions on Jan. 6, 2021.

"All who participated in that insurrection, I think it can be called, must be held responsible," Judge Bates said.

Prosecutors recommended for Ayres to be sentenced to 60 days behind bars followed by one year of supervised release and 60 hours of community service. Ayres' attorney asked for his client to receive probation without jail time.