A Kentucky man, who was 19 years old at the time, has been sentenced to more than two years in prison for assaulting two Capitol police officers with pepper spray during the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol. Isreal Easterday, who was carrying a Confederate battle flag, was part of a mob of Donald Trump supporters that stormed the Capitol.
Chief Judge James Boasberg cited Easterday's youth as a factor in the sentencing, which was over five times lower than the initial recommendation by the Justice Department. The judge noted that Easterday, who was homeschooled on a family farm, may not have fully understood the gravity of the events on Jan. 6 or the significance of the Confederate flag.
During the hearing, Easterday tearfully apologized to the officers he assaulted and expressed deep shame for his actions. He was immediately detained to begin serving his sentence after the hearing concluded.
Prosecutors had initially recommended a much longer sentence of 12 years and seven months, but the court ultimately sentenced Easterday to two years and six months. The prosecutors emphasized the need for deterrence to prevent similar incidents in the future, especially with the 2024 presidential election approaching.
Easterday was convicted of nine counts, including assaulting Capitol police officers Joshua Pollitt and Miguel Acevedo with pepper spray. Pollitt lost consciousness and experienced vision loss after being sprayed by Easterday, who was captured on video smirking before attacking Acevedo.
More than 100 police officers were injured during the Jan. 6 attack, and over 1,350 people have been charged with Capitol riot-related federal crimes. Easterday's attorneys described him as leading an extremely sheltered life on a farm and claimed he did not fully understand the symbolism of the Confederate flag.
Despite his remorse and apology, Easterday will serve a prison term for his actions on Jan. 6, which the judge characterized as an attempt to forcibly change the outcome of the election through violence.
