The New Jersey gym owners who refused to comply with lockdown orders have been sentenced to one year of probation.
Ian Smith, who gained fame during the height of the pandemic restrictions for his vocal opposition to the lockdowns, announced Thursday that he was sentenced to a year of probation. He has already paid $1.5 million in fines, according to Townhall.
“Thanks to all who joined in on our sentencing hearing. So many came that the server crashed,” Smith said on Twitter. “We got one year probation for the crime of taking our doors off to prevent government goons from locking us out of our gym.”
NEW JERSEY GYM OWNERS ARRESTED AFTER REPEATEDLY DEFYING GOVERNOR’S LOCKDOWN ORDERS
He added that the gym is “open and will remain open at any cost.”
Smith and his business partner Frank Trumbetti both pleaded guilty to one count of fourth-degree criminal contempt of court, which was reduced from seven counts, he said on his Instagram account Wednesday. They faced a maximum sentence of a $10,000 fine and 18 months in prison, according to the post.
They are involved in other lawsuits they hope will challenge the constitutionality of Gov. Phil Murphy’s executive orders.
“We plan to take the power away from the governor and set the precedent that this can never happen again,” Smith said on his Instagram Wednesday.
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Smith reopened the gym in May 2020 after shutting down in March of that year. Despite losing his business license and racking up millions in fines, Smith is committed to keeping the gym open. He resorted to removing the building’s doors to prevent law enforcement from barring them, which resulted in the conviction, and offered free memberships to unvaccinated people.
“No government official will ever tell me that I am not able to provide for my family,” he said on Instagram in December 2020. “I do not answer to public servants — no matter what threats or punishments they impose. I am a free man. I do not ask for permission. I do not ask for forgiveness.”
