Isreal Easterday, a Kentucky man who participated in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot, has been sentenced to over two years in prison. Easterday, who was 19 at the time of the riot, assaulted two Capitol police officers with pepper spray, partially blinding them for hours.
Chief Judge James Boasberg cited Easterday’s youth and his sheltered upbringing on a family farm as reasons for the sentence, which was significantly lower than the Justice Department’s initial recommendation. Easterday apologized for his actions and expressed deep shame.
Easterday was convicted last October on nine counts, including charges related to the assault of the officers. Prosecutors argued that with the upcoming 2024 presidential election, the sentence needed to deter Easterday and others from similar actions in the future.
Easterday’s attorneys argued that he led an extremely sheltered life and didn’t fully understand the significance of the Confederate flag he carried during the riot. More than 1,350 people have been charged in relation to the Capitol riot, with over 800 sentenced to varying terms of imprisonment.
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