The Department of Justice, in its relentless pursuit of prosecutions regarding the defendants in the Jan. 6 investigations, suffered a rare setback in its last attempt to score another victory. 

According to Newsmax, Indianapolis-based Michael Greene, a security consultant hired by the Oath Keepers group for the Jan. 6 Capitol protest, landed a two-year probation sentence, far less than what DOJ prosecutors had hoped for.

DOJ prosecutors fought for a one-year sentence in prison for charges he faced. He had been acquitted of more severe charges previously.

Newsmax noted:

Prosecutors had sought one year behind bars for Greene, but U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta sided with defense attorneys who argued for probation. He noted Greene did not enter the building or have extensive participation in the group's online chats, which grew increasingly violent before the riot.

Judge Amit Mehta sided with the defense, arguing that it wasn't clear what Green's political motives or affiliate was.

"We frankly don't have a great deal of insight into what his political views were or what he thought about the election outcome," the judge said.

Greene responded to the news with glee outside of the courtroom.

"I feel pretty damn good," Michael Greene told me outside of court today. pic.twitter.com/PyKI6wTRVQ

— Jordan Fischer (@JordanOnRecord) July 21, 2023

Prosecutors tried to paint Greene as an integral part of the Oath Keepers organization. Greene and his lawyers argued the opposite, stating that he was nothing more than a paid contractor.

"I took a job. I'm not an Oath Keeper. I took a job. I'm not a criminal," Greene said at the time.

Judge rejects jail for Oath Keepers’ Jan. 6 ‘operations coordinator’
Michael Greene said he was a paid security contractor, not a follower of Stewart Rhodes, when he went to the Capitol groundshttps://t.co/5STiHIwVIK

— Alvarezz 🇺🇸 The Patriot 🇺🇸 (@ienoesis) July 23, 2023

Newsmax noted Greene's background and how he came to work for the Oath Keepers on Jan. 6:

An Army veteran who served in Iraq, Greene said he was asked to come to Washington to oversee the Oath Keepers' security services for figures such as Roger Stone, longtime Donald Trump confidant, and "Stop the Steal" organizer Ali Alexander at events before the siege. He was paid about $5,000, his attorney said.

Prosecutors doubted the story. "Mr. Greene did not stumble upon this riot," prosecutor Kathryn Rakoczy argued.

Only time will tell the fate of many more Jan. 6 participants who continue to await a fair trial, years later.