US federal court sentences Arkansas man to 52 months prison for beating police officer during Capitol riot News
© WikiMedia (Tyler Merbler)
US federal court sentences Arkansas man to 52 months prison for beating police officer during Capitol riot

Peter Stager of Arkansas was sentenced Monday to 52 months in prison and ordered to pay $2,000 in restitution in a District of Columbia courtroom for beating a police officer with a flag pole during the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot.

In the criminal complaint filed in the US District Court for the District of Columbia shortly after the 2021 riot, the Department of Justice (DOJ) claimed that an anonymous officer was beaten and dragged down the Capitol steps so the rioters could enter the building. Stager then allegedly repeatedly beat the officer with an American flag. The moment was captured on camera and Stager himself released a video shortly after the beating stating, “Everybody in there is a treasonous traitor. Death is the only remedy for what’s in that building.” Stager was then charged with violating 18 USC 231(a)(3), which criminalizes stopping a law enforcement officer from the lawful performance of his duties during a time of “civil disorder.”

Stager pleaded guilty in February after reaching a plea deal with the DOJ. The DOJ filed a sentencing memorandum requesting a prison sentence of 78 months, $2,000 in restitution and a fine of $31,627. However, Judge Rudolph Contreras reduced the recommended sentence by over 20 months. Scott MacFarlane of CBS News reported that, during the hearing, Contreras raised concerns that Stager could be “swept up again in irrational action.” Stager responded by apologizing for his actions and saying he would stop listening to “bad people.” The judge also considered Stager’s difficult upbringing during the sentencing hearing.

Multiple other rioters have been sentenced to prison time including the founder of a far-right group, called the Oath Keepers, and members of other far-right groups like the Proud Boys. Last week, former President Donald Trump also alleged that he received a letter to appear before a grand jury for his involvement in the riot.

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