A southwest suburban man accused of assaulting law enforcement officers during the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot was sentenced Friday to three years in federal prison.
William Lewis, 58, pleaded guilty to a felony count of assaulting, resisting or impeding officers. He was sentenced to 37 months in prison with two years of supervised release, and he was ordered to pay $3,761 in restitution.
Lewis, of Burbank, drove to Washington on the day of the rally to join other supporters of Donald Trump to protest the results of the 2020 presidential election, prosecutors said.
After the rally, Lewis went to the building’s West Plaza where lines of U.S. Capitol Police and Metropolitan Police Department officers were trying to hold back a group of rioters from pushing through toward the Capitol building, prosecutors said.
Lewis sprayed streams of wasp killer toward officers on four occasions until he emptied the can. One officer reported that he was sprayed in the mouth, and that he experienced a burning sensation on his face and eyes, according to prosecutors. He then threw the empty can at officers.
A few minutes later, Lewis went to the building’s Lower West Terrace and stole a police baton, which he used to smash three panes of a large window into the Capitol building, officials said.
Lewis was arrested in November 2023 in Burbank.
More than 50 Illinois residents, and more than 1,500 people from across the country, have faced criminal charges in connection with the Jan. 6 riot.
Trump has promised to pardon many of those charged in the attack once he retakes office next week.
On January 6, 2021, a Burbank man was sentenced to prison for his involvement in the Capitol riot. According to NBC Chicago, the man was charged with spraying officers with a chemical irritant during the violent insurrection.
The man, whose name has not been released, was found guilty of assaulting law enforcement officers and obstructing an official proceeding. He was sentenced to serve several years in federal prison for his actions on that fateful day in Washington D.C.
The violent events that transpired at the Capitol on January 6 shocked the nation and left a lasting impact on the fabric of American democracy. The sentencing of this Burbank man serves as a reminder that those who participated in the riot will be held accountable for their actions.
As we continue to reflect on the events of January 6, it is important to remember the bravery and sacrifice of the law enforcement officers who put themselves in harm’s way to protect the Capitol and uphold the rule of law. We must never forget the consequences of resorting to violence and extremism in pursuit of political goals.
Tags:
- Burbank man
- Capitol riot
- NBC Chicago
- Prison sentence
- Officer assault
- Riot charges
- Burbank news
- Illinois crime
- Capitol breach
- Law enforcement incident
#Burbank #man #sentenced #prison #spraying #officers #Capitol #riot #NBC #Chicago
Leave a Reply