A Florida man was sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty to three felonies, including assault on a law enforcement officer, for the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced the sentencing of 58-year-old Proud Boys member Kenneth Bonawitz. The Justice Department described him as “one of the most violent members of the January 6th riot.”
Bonawitz is declared He was sentenced to 60 months in prison, 36 months of supervised release, and ordered to pay restitution and a $2,000 fine. He also pleaded guilty to felony charges of insurrection and obstruction of official business, the Justice Department said.
Bonawitz “assaulted at least six police officers in West Plaza” on January 6, 2021. Some of the attacks, detailed in a news release, “included throwing his body at officers, tackling them to the ground, and forcing one officer to sit down,” with a neck attack. “He grabbed the officer by the neck and lifted him up in a chokehold,” the Justice Department said.
According to the Department of Justice, a police officer who was also a first responder at the Pentagon on September 11, 2001, “suffered serious injuries and has now been forced to retire from the U.S. Capitol Police.” That's what it means.
The Justice Department said Bonawitz carried an 8-inch knife in a sheath on his belt and led a crowd that broke through police lines near the Western Front.
As police tried to restrain the rioters, Bonawitz climbed onto the pre-set inauguration stage. “He then ran the entire length of the stage, raised his arms, and when the stage ended, he threw himself into the air. He used his outstretched arms to attack two Capitol Police officers who were standing at the base of a short staircase. ”
After two officers managed to seize the knife, Bonawitz managed to flee from them “as confusion spread.” He then rejoined the mob, the Justice Department said. He along with D.C. police “almost immediately…in a scuffle” assaulted four separate officers.
At one point, Bonawitz shoved the officer, but the officer stumbled forward and turned to face Bonawitz. Bonawitz then “wrapped his arms around the officer from behind, put his forearm under the officer's shield, and put the officer in a chokehold. He lifted the officer momentarily off the ground and gagged him, then struggled and let go.” did.”
He assaulted three more officers before leaving, according to the Department of Justice.
The Justice Department noted that Bonawitz gave two media interviews upon his departure, in which he identified himself and described some of his interactions with police.
More than 1,265 people have been charged in connection with the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, including more than 440 people facing criminal charges of assault and obstruction of law enforcement.
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