A man from North Carolina who assaulted police officers with a pole during the Capitol riots on January 6th was given a six-year prison sentence on Tuesday by the Justice Department. announced.
David Gietzen was convicted of attacking a police officer, resisting arrest, trespassing, and disorderly conduct for his part in the assault.
According to prosecutors, Gietzen approached the police lines at the west side of the Capitol during the riot, wearing a helmet, goggles, and knee pads, and started pushing and struggling with officers. He repeatedly shouted phrases like “We want Trump!” and “f—ing disgrace” at police, prosecutors said.
Gietzen kept pushing and shoving officers in an attempt to reach the Capitol, even grabbing a long pole and hitting a police officer with it. He was later able to enter the Capitol.
After the riot, Gietzen boasted about his involvement, telling a family member that he had “never been prouder to be an American” on what he believed was a “beautiful day” and eagerly looked forward to armed civil war.
“By the way, they are trying to give credit to storming congress on the news to Antifa….BULLSHIT, I was there in a hallway helping to push the line of guards back,” he wrote in another message. “Today was 100 what happens when you piss off normal people, and the next protest is going even further.”
Gietzen failed to report to prison after being found guilty in October, and was arrested by police at his mother’s home in December. He was also given a three-year probation sentence.
During his sentencing on Tuesday, he did not show any regret or remorse for his actions.
“I have to make it explicitly known that I believe I did the right thing,” he said, according to The Associated Press.
Nearly 1,400 people have been charged with crimes related to the Capitol riots, according to the Justice Department, including nearly 500 for assaulting police officers.
