Mother and son linked to Pelosi laptop theft on Jan. 6 sentenced
A mother and son who aided in the theft of then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s (D-Calif.) laptop when they participated in the mob that breached the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, were sentenced Wednesday.
Maryann Mooney-Rondon, 57, was sentenced to five years of probation, with the first 12 months to be served in home incarceration. She must also pay $3,657.51 in restitution, a fine of $7,500, and perform 350 hours of community service.
Her son, Rafael Rondon, 25, was sentenced to five years of probation, with the first 18 months to be served in home incarceration. He must pay $2,000 in restitution and perform 350 hours of community service. His sentence is to be served consecutive to a separate one in New York for possession of an unregistered sawed-off shotgun that he was convicted of seizing with several other firearms.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) said the mother-son pair attended the rally on the Ellipse on Jan. 6, marched to the Capitol and then entered the grounds illegally. They entered the Capitol at about 2:23 p.m. through the Senate Wing door, the DOJ said.
They then went to the Speaker’s office suite, where they assisted a man steal Pelosi’s laptop, per the department.
“Rondon later admitted that he helped the unidentified male disconnect cables from the laptop and put the device into a backpack,” the DOJ said in its sentencing memorandum.
“Mooney-Rondon later admitted that she assisted in the theft by providing the unidentified male with her gloves so he would not leave fingerprints on the laptop,” the department said.
The two then went to the Senate Gallery and stole CBRN escape hoods, according to the DOJ, which are intended to protect senators and staff from chemical attacks.
“Rondon and Mooney-Rondon donned the escape hoods and exited the Capitol Building, where they remained on the East Stairs with hundreds of other rioters,” the DOJ wrote.
The mother and son are among more than 1,200 individuals who have been charged in connection with breaching the Capitol building, including 400 charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement.