Capitol riot defendants plead guilty to assaulting officers

Fairlamb, 44, pleaded guilty to two crimes — obstruction of an official proceeding and aiding and abetting, and assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers. In exchange for his plea, he faces a recommended sentence of 41 to 51 months in prison, or around three to four years. He also agreed to cooperate with the FBI through an interview and pay $2,000 in restitution.

Shortly after Fairlamb entered his guilty plea Friday, Thompson pleaded guilty to assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers using a dangerous weapon — in his case, a baton. According to the Department of Justice, the 28-year-old used the metal baton in an apparent attempt to knock a can of pepper spray from an officer’s hand. He was also part of a group that “threw objects and projectiles at the officers, including flag poles” and stole riot shields to prevent police from being able to defend themselves, the DOJ said.

Prosecutors did not specify a recommended sentence for Thompson during Friday’s hearing, but said his defense attorney indicated the sentencing guidelines level was 23. That level typically corresponds to 46 to 57 months, although ultimately the decision rests with the judge, who will determine any sentence after considering the guidelines and other statutory factors.

Fairlamb and Thompson’s guilty pleas are among the first that involve violent assaults during the Capitol attack. Although more than 30 Capitol riot defendants have pleaded guilty, Fairlamb and Thompson are among only eight to have pleaded guilty to felonies, and they are the first to plead guilty to charges of assaulting officers.

CBS News has found that 150 officers were injured during the violent attack on the U.S. Capitol, and prosecutors have so far charged at least 170 defendants with felony assault on a police officer. The FBI has said they’re still looking for hundreds of suspects accused of assaulting police.