Rioter Who Assaulted Cops At Capitol Gets 5 Years In prison

Authorities say a Tennessee man arrived in Washington ahead of the Jan. 6, 2021, riot in a car full of weapons and assaulted officers attempting to defend the Capitol. He was sentenced Friday to more than five years in prison.

In September, Ronald Sandlin, 35, of Millington, Tennessee, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding and assaulting, resisting, or impeding officers.

Two other men were sentenced separately to four years in prison on Friday for their roles in the riot.

According to prosecutors, Sandlin and two other men travelled from Tennessee to the Washington area in a rental car packed with two pistols, two magazines of ammunition, cans of bear mace, gas masks, body armour, several knives, and other gear.

According to court documents, Sandlin posted on social media two days before the insurgency a picture of another man lying on a bed holding a gun and wrote, “My fellow patriot… sleeping ready for the boogaloo Jan 6.” According to authorities, “boogaloo” referred to civil war.

Prosecutors say Sandlin led the mob’s charge against officers at two points at the Capitol on Jan. 6, shoved officers, and attempted to rip one of their helmets off.

He yelled at officers: “Your life is not worth it.. you’re going to die, get out of the way,” according to court papers.

Prosecutors say Sandlin smoked a marijuana joint in the Rotunda of the Capitol and stole a book from an office.

In court papers, Sandlin’s lawyer stated that his client “allowed himself to believe in lies and disinformation.” Sandlin apologized to the officers he assaulted as well as the lawmakers at the Capitol in a letter to the judge.

“I believe January 6, 2021, was a national tragedy for everyone involved and I hope my judgement will help the healing process moving forward,” he wrote.

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