Jan. 6 Rioter Kevin Seefried Sentenced to 30 Months for Assaulting Capitol Police

Kevin Seefried, a Kentucky man who stormed the U.S. Capitol while carrying a Confederate battle flag during the January 6, 2021 riot, was sentenced on Tuesday to 30 months in prison for assaulting two Capitol police officers with chemical spray.

Seefried, who was 19 years old at the time, partially blinded the officers for hours after attacking them as they guarded the East Rotunda Doors.

Chief Judge James Boasberg cited Seefried's young age as a reason for handing down a prison term that was significantly lower than the 12 years and 7 months initially recommended by prosecutors. "I do think your youth is a significant factor here," Boasberg told Seefried. "It's a lot of time in federal prison for somebody your age." The judge also noted that Seefried may not have fully appreciated the hateful symbolism and history of the Confederate flag he carried.

Seefried tearfully apologized to the officers he assaulted and accepted responsibility for his actions. "I'm sorry for what I did. I regret it very much. I'm ashamed of it," he said. Prosecutors had argued for a harsher sentence to deter Seefried and others from engaging in similar violence, especially with the 2024 presidential election approaching.

Why this matters: The January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol was a shocking assault on American democracy that left over 100 police officers injured. As the 2024 election nears, there are concerns about the potential for renewed political violence and efforts to forcefully overturn election results.

Seefried was convicted of nine counts, including assaulting the two Capitol police officers with pepper spray. He travelled from his home in Kentucky to attend the "Stop the Steal" rally near the White House on January 6 and later joined the mob in storming the Capitol. More than 1,385 individuals have been charged with Capitol riot-related federal crimes, with nearly 500 defendants accused of assaulting or impeding law enforcement.

Key Takeaways

• A Kentucky man Kevin Seefried has been sentenced to 30 months for assaulting Capitol police.
• Seefried, 19 at the time, partially blinded officers with a chemical spray on Jan 6.
• The judge cited Seefried's young age as the reason for a lower sentence than the prosecutors sought.
• Seefried apologized and accepted responsibility for his actions during the Capitol riot.
• Concerns about the potential for renewed political violence ahead of 2024 election.