Man who struck officer with pole on Jan. 6 sentenced to prison

A North Carolina man who attacked police officers with a pole during the Jan. 6 Capitol riots was sentenced to six year in prison on Tuesday, the Justice Department announced.

David Gietzen was found guilty of assaulting a police officer, resisting arrest, trespassing and disorderly conduct for his role in the attack.

Prosecutors said Gietzen approached police lines at the west side of the Capitol during the riot, wearing a helmet, goggles, and knee pads, and began pushing and tussling with officers. He repeatedly yelled phrases including “We want Trump!” and “f---ing disgrace” toward police, prosecutors said.

Gietzen continued pushing and shoving officers in an effort to gain access to the Capitol, including grabbing a long pole and hitting a police officer with it, prosecutors said. He was later able to enter the Capitol.

After the riot, Gietzen bragged about this participation, telling a family member that he had "never been prouder to be an American" on what he believed was a "beautiful day" and excitedly anticipated armed civil war.

"Btw they are trying to give credit to storming congress on the news to Antifa….BULLSHIT, I was there in a hallway helping to push the line of guards back,” he wrote in another message. “Today was 100 what happens when you piss of normal people, and the next protest is going even further." 

Gietzen refused to report to prison after being found guilty in October, and was arrested by police at his mother’s home in December. He was also sentenced to three years' probation. 

At his sentencing Tuesday, he did not express any regret or remorse for his actions.

“I have to make it explicitly known that I believe I did the right thing,” he said, according to The Associated Press.

Nearly 1,400 people have been charged with crimes related to the Capitol riots, according to the Justice Department, including nearly 500 for assaulting police officers.