A man prosecutors call a far-right white supremacist has been sentenced to two years in prison for his role in riots at political events across California.
Robert Paul Rand, 34, a former Huntington Beach resident, pleaded guilty in September to one count of conspiracy to violate the federal Riot Prevention Act.
In a news release Friday, federal prosecutors said Landau was part of an organization known as the Rise Above Movement.
Prosecutors have described RAM as a “militant group” backed by white supremacist ideology.
Prosecutors said that between March 2017 and May 2018, Landau and his associates attended political rallies in the state “with the intent to provoke and engage in violence.”
Lund organized and participated in training sessions that taught participants how to engage in hand-to-hand combat. Video footage of those sessions was posted on social media with captions such as “#rightwingdeathsquad.”
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Prosecutors cited three separate political rallies where Landau and his associates incited riot-like incidents.
On March 25, 2017, in Huntington Beach, Rand and other RAM members attacked people who were protesting a pro-Trump rally. In one particular instance, Landau tackled and punched one protester. RAM members subsequently posted photos and videos on social media praising the violence.
Less than a month later, in April 2017, Landau and other RAM members traveled to Berkeley, where they were involved in several violent confrontations during a scheduled political rally. At one point, Lund climbed over a police barrier set up to separate groups of demonstrators and punched, kicked and assaulted several demonstrators.
Lund organized combat training sessions before both rallies.
At another rally on June 10, 2017, Landau confronted protesters in San Bernardino.
Two other alleged RAM members have also been charged.
Robert Bowman, 31, of Torrance, has pleaded not guilty to one count of conspiracy to violate the Riot Act and one count of riot. His next court appearance is scheduled for February 18, 2025.
Tyler Raub, 28, of Redondo Beach, pleaded guilty in October to violating federal protection rights. He was fined $2,000 and sentenced to prison.
Landau, sentenced by U.S. District Judge Josephine L. Staton, will serve 24 months in federal prison.
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