Former firefighter sentenced to prison for assault with fire extinguisher on Jan. 6th

Retired Firefighter Sentenced for Violence During U.S. Capitol Riot

A former firefighter convicted of throwing a fire extinguisher at police officers during the U.S. Capitol riot has been handed a more than four-year prison sentence. Robert Sanford, 57, hurled a fire extinguisher at officers, striking two on the head, and also threw an orange traffic cone during the chaos on January 6, 2021.

Prosecutors revealed that Sanford also verbally abused law enforcement officers, labeling them as “traitors” during the violent incident. The assault left one officer with a head bump and swelling, while the other suffered a headache necessitating a hospital visit for a medical evaluation.

Prosecution and Sentencing

At the sentencing, U.S. District Judge Paul Friedman issued a four-year and four-month prison term with a subsequent three years of supervised release for Sanford. Despite federal prosecutors recommending a nearly six-year sentence, the judge settled on a slightly shorter punishment based on the severity of the crime.

The court highlighted Sanford’s extensive background as a firefighter, emphasizing that he should have been aware of the potential harm a fire extinguisher could inflict. The incident occurred as Sanford, who traveled to the Capitol from Pennsylvania, joined a group of Donald Trump supporters in disrupting Congress’s certification of Joe Biden’s presidential win.

Personal Transformation and Legal Proceedings

Following his arrest in January 2021, Sanford pleaded guilty to assaulting police officers, an offense that carries a maximum penalty of 20 years incarceration. Despite his involvement on January 6, Sanford did not enter the Capitol building.

Sanford’s defense attorney shared that he began working with a cult deprogramming specialist in August 2022 to challenge his beliefs. The lawyer explained that Sanford felt provoked by the officers’ actions on the day of the riot, leading to his regrettable decision to throw the fire extinguisher.

Legal Ramifications of the U.S. Capitol Riot

More than a thousand individuals have faced federal charges related to the Capitol riot, with outcomes ranging from guilty pleas to trial convictions. Over 450 defendants have already been sentenced, with penalties spanning from seven days in jail to 10 years of imprisonment.

Additionally, the riot resulted in injuries to over 100 police officers, underscoring the gravity of the violent incident that unfolded on January 6.

Another participant, Josiah Kenyon from Nevada, received a six-year prison sentence for assaulting officers during the chaos. Kenyon admitted to escalating violence during the riot, demonstrating the widespread impact and legal consequences stemming from the event.