North Carolina Man Sentenced to 6 Years for Attacking Police at U.S. Capitol on January 6

David Joseph Gietzen, a 31-year-old man from Sanford, North Carolina, was sentenced to six years in prison on Monday for assaulting police officers during the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol. Gietzen struck a police officer with a pole while joining a mob of Donald Trump supporters who were interrupting the joint session of Congress to certify President Joe Biden's 2020 electoral victory.

Gietzen was convicted by a federal jury in August 2022 of eight counts, including assault and civil disorder charges. Prosecutors said Gietzen approached police lines wearing protective gear and began pushing and shoving officers in an effort to gain access to the Capitol. He hit one officer with a long pole during the confrontation.

After the riot, Gietzen bragged about his participation, saying he had "never been prouder to be an American" and anticipating an "armed civil war." However, at his sentencing, Gietzen told the judge that he believed he did the right thing and did not express any regret or remorse for his actions.

Why this matters: The January 6th Capitol riot was a significant event in U.S. history that led to multiple deaths, injuries, and the second impeachment of then-President Donald Trump. The ongoing prosecutions of rioters like Gietzen demonstrate the consequences for those who participated in the violent attack and the importance of holding them accountable.

Gietzen became a fugitive after his trial conviction, disregarding a court order to report to prison. He missed several hearings before being arrested at his mother's home in December 2022. The judge noted that Gietzen clings to the baseless belief that the 2020 presidential election was stolen from Trump.

Key Takeaways

• David Gietzen, 31, sentenced to 6 years for assaulting police on Jan 6, 2021.
• Gietzen convicted of 8 counts, including assault and civil disorder charges.
• Gietzen became a fugitive after trial, arrested at his mother's home in Dec 2022.
• Nearly 1,400 people charged, over 800 sentenced for crimes related to Capitol riot.
• Gietzen's sentence reflects severity of his actions and lack of remorse.