Adam Kokesh, Anarcho-Libertarian Activist, Pleads Guilty on Weapons Charges Based on Video He Shot

I blogged back in July on anarcho-libertarian media figure and
activist Adam Kokesh
being arrested and held without bond on crummy charges of
carrying a shotgun in D.C.’s Freedom Plaza, an act he videoed as
deliberate political provocation theater.

After rotting in jail for months, Kokesh finally pleaded guilty
this week and got out pending sentencing,
the Washington Post reports:

Wednesday, standing next to his new [court-appointed] attorney,
Kokesh pleaded guilty to carrying a rifle or shotgun, possession of
an unregistered firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition. In a
separate case, Kokesh pleaded guilty to marijuana possession.

Court papers show that prosecutors offered the plea deal in a
Monday letter sent to Kokesh’s attorney. In the letter, Assistant
U.S. Attorney Natalia Medina said prosecutors believed that Kokesh
tried to sneak a cellphone into the jail Oct. 22. Medina wrote that
if Kokesh accepted the plea, he would not face additional charges
regarding the phone.

Kokesh’s attorney, Larry Copeland, said it was the second plea
deal presented to his client. Copeland said he and Kokesh “weren’t
concerned” about the cellphone allegation but weighed the
offer.

“We evaluated the case against him and the likely outcome and
made a judgment that this was the best thing to do,” Copeland
said.

Pending a Jan. 17 sentencing hearing, Broderick ordered Kokesh
to stay out of the District and said he must report with
supervising authorities weekly. The judge also ordered that Kokesh
not possess any firearms. Kokesh faces a maximum of more than six
years in prison on the combined charges.

It was a bad charge, though I’m not going to question a man’s
decisions to get himself out of a cage he’s been unjustly locked
into. May any eventual sentencing be light, though I wouldn’t count
on it.

Kokesh wrote on his Facebook page, as
reported by Opposing Views.com:

“I’m incredibly grateful for everyone who supported me during my
recent challenges by volunteering, donating, and writing letters to
me in jail, and to the judge and the prosecutors,” Kokesh posted on
his Facebook. “We will continue using this as a teachable moment to
illuminate the nature of government and spread the message of
liberty, self-ownership and civil rights.”

Reason
on Kokesh.