WASHINGTON, D.C. – Federal prosecutors want a 74-year-old Brevard County pastor to spend seven months in prison for his role in the attack on the U.S. Capitol.
James Cusick and his son Casey, 38, were arrested by the FBI in June of 2021 along with David Lesperance, 71, who was a member of their church congregation at Global Outreach Church of Melbourne.
Recommended Videos
They were all found guilty in July of entering a restricted building, disorderly conduct inside a restricted building and the Capitol, and parading or demonstrating inside the Capitol.
[EXCLUSIVE: Become a News 6 Insider (it’s FREE) | PINIT! Share your photos]
According to a sentencing memorandum submitted to federal court on Tuesday, prosecutors urged a judge to sentence James Cusick to seven months in prison, one year of supervised release, 60 hours of community service and $500 in restitution.
“J. Cusick chose to ignore unmistakable proof of the forcible nature of the riot — proof that included shattered glass panes near the Senate Wing Door, a blaring alarm sound, and scores of officers converging on the Capitol just as J. Cusick and his companions were about to enter,” prosecutors wrote.
Prosecutors want Casey Cusick to spend nine months in prison.
“C. Cusick not only participated in the riot — he memorialized the occasion by recording video inside the Capitol building,” they wrote in their court documents.
They urged the judge to sentence Lesperance to seven months in prison.
“Lesperance recorded on video — and repeatedly celebrated — the mayhem that was unfolding before his eyes, variously declaring ‘this is doing it bigly!’ and ‘do the Inauguration in the basement,’” prosecutors wrote.
Conversely, the attorney representing all three defendants, John Pierce, argued all three should avoid prison time.
According to their sentencing memoranda, which were filed late Tuesday, Pierce is asking a federal judge to sentence all three of them to one year probation, no fine and no restitution.
“(James) Cusick has already essentially served two years of supervised pretrial release successfully and to the satisfaction of the probation officer in Florida,” he wrote. “Cusick has complied with all conditions of his release over the past two years. Cusick has a negative net worth, and a negative monthly income.”
“(Casey Cusick) caused no property destruction nor contributed nor aided or abetted any property destruction. Merely seeing property destruction is insufficient,” he wrote.
“(David) Lesperance is a life-long businessman, a church volunteer and missionary, and a first-time offender. Probation is the presumed sentence for a first-time misdemeanant for an assessment of restitution,” Pierce wrote.
All three will be sentenced on Thursday in Washington, D.C.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: