A Kentucky man, Isreal Easterday, has been sentenced to more than two years in prison for assaulting two Capitol police officers with pepper spray during the January 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol. Easterday, who was 19 years old at the time, stormed the Capitol while carrying a Confederate battle flag, partially blinding the officers for hours.
Chief Judge James Boasberg, taking into account Easterday’s youth and potential lack of understanding of the gravity of the situation, handed down a prison term of two years and six months, which was 20% of the initial sentencing recommendation by the Justice Department. Boasberg emphasized that the mob’s intent on January 6th was to forcefully replace the elected government, as they had not achieved their desired outcome through the ballot box.
During the hearing, Easterday tearfully apologized to the officers he assaulted, expressing deep shame and accepting responsibility for his actions. Following the conclusion of the hearing, Easterday was immediately detained to begin serving his sentence, while his supporters embraced each other in the courtroom.
Prosecutors initially recommended a sentence of 12 years and seven months, but later advocated for a reduced sentence of 11 years and three months. They argued that Easterday’s sentencing should serve as a deterrent to prevent a repeat of the January 6th events, especially with the 2024 presidential election approaching and the potential for further discord and distrust.
Easterday, who was convicted of nine counts, including assaulting Capitol police officers Joshua Pollitt and Miguel Acevedo with pepper spray, had traveled from his home in Bonnieville, Kentucky, to attend then-President Donald Trump’s “Stop the Steal” rally near the White House. A photograph captured Easterday holding a Confederate battle flag after climbing a tree near the rally site. He later joined other rioters in storming the East Plaza of the Capitol, where he attacked the officers.
Officer Pollitt lost consciousness and collapsed in the mob after Easterday sprayed his face, while Officer Acevedo was also targeted. The effects of the pepper spray caused intense pain and vision loss for both officers, lasting for hours. Prosecutors highlighted Easterday’s callousness and enjoyment of violence, evident in a video where he smirks before deploying the second cannister of pepper spray.
Easterday, now 23, was arrested in December 2022 in Miami, where his boat was docked for a missionary trip to provide free bibles to churches in the Bahamas. His attorneys argued that he had led an extremely sheltered life on his Amish family’s farm and did not fully understand the significance of the Confederate flag.
