Son of New York Judge Who Wore Caveman Costume During Capitol Riot Sentenced to Prison

Aaron Mostofsky, the son of a New York City judge, has been sentenced for his participation in the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot.

As announced by the Department of Justice on Friday, Mostofsky was among those who broke into the U.S. Capitol during the Jan. 6 insurrection and was sentenced to eight months in prison, followed by 12 months of supervised release and 200 hours of community service. Photos and video show him inside the Capitol dressed in an outfit he described as “caveman” like, and joining other rioters as they pushed against lines of police.

Mostofsky, who is the son of Kings County Supreme Court Judge Steven ‘Shlomo’ Mostofsky, admitted to pushing against rioters, stealing a police vest, and a riot shield. “You were literally on the front lines of this attack,” said district Judge James Boasberg during the sentencing in Washington, DC, according to CNN. “You were there pushing against police barricades. … Without conduct like yours … the barricades wouldn’t have fallen, the Capitol wouldn’t have been overrun, people would not have been killed.”

Boasberg ultimately gave Mostofsky a more lenient sentence due to over 30 letters he received that described his work with charities. “Those do lessen the time I’m going to give you,” added the judge. In addition to his time behind bars and on probation, he was ordered to pay $2,000 in restitution. “I feel sorry for the officers that had to deal with that chaos,” said Mostofsky, per NBC New York. He’s the latest to be charged with federal crimes in connection with the Capitol riot. So far, almost 800 individuals have been charged.

“I hope you’ll leave some of the fantasy world behind,” Boasberg said. “Your indulgence in that fantasy has led to this tragic situation.” In February, Mostofsky pleaded guilty to civil disorder, theft of government property, and entering and remaining in a restricted area.