Man who assaulted officers with folding chair, pepper spray during Capitol riot gets longest sentence yet for a January 6 defendant

A Pennsylvania guy who tossed a collapsible chair at police and consistently utilized pepper spray on cops throughout the January 6, 2021, attack on the United States Capitol was sentenced Friday to more than 14 years in jail– the longest of any January 6 accused up until now.

Peter Schwartz, 49, was condemned on 10 charges in December 2022 throughout a jury trial, consisting of 4 felony charges of attacking, withstanding or restraining officers utilizing a harmful weapon. Schwartz’s previous criminal history of 38 felony convictions dating to 1991 was a substantial aspect behind his sentence.

” Mr. Schwartz, attempt I state, there are very few individuals who have actually pertained to this court with a criminal history like yours,” District Judge Amit Mehta stated throughout a sentencing hearing on Friday.

On January 6, 2021, district attorneys declare that Schwartz thew the very first collapsible chair at cops that opened the cops line and allowed numerous rioters to hamper the officers.

Schwartz, according to district attorneys, discovered a deserted Metropolitan Cops Department-issued cylinder of pepper spray. He then utilized the irritant to spray officers, triggering them to pull away and place on gas masks, and discovered a second can of pepper spray that he sprayed at officers, they stated.

Schwartz was on probation throughout the time of the offenses, according to court files. Throughout his arrest, police discovered that he had at least one gun in his ownership at his house in Pennsylvania. Schwartz has 2 previous convictions of having a gun after being founded guilty of a felony.

Schwartz revealed regret throughout the hearing.

” I do genuinely be sorry for the damage that January 6 has actually triggered to many individuals in their lives,” Schwartz stated.

Mehta reacted: “I value you stating what you stated today, however I do not think it.”.

The judge informed Schwartz he was being prosecuted not since of his political beliefs or since he was a “political detainee,” however since he consistently broke the law on January 6.

” You were a solider versus democracy,” Mehta stated. “You took it upon yourself to attempt and hurt numerous law enforcement officers.”.

Previous Capitol Cops Sgt. Aquilino Gonell made a victim effect declaration throughout the hearing. Gonell discussed the mayhem he and his fellow officers experienced on January 6 and stated that somebody with a criminal history like Schwartz should be prevented from dedicating more violent criminal offenses.

” I think the last extra thing he required to contribute to his pedigree, was attack of police officers,” Gonell stated.

Prior to enforcing the sentence, Mehta stated: “It depends on you whether you wish to take duty for your actions. It depends on you if you wish to reveal regret. You have not done either of them.”.