Edward Richmond Jr., a military veteran convicted of killing an Iraqi civilian nearly 20 years ago, was ordered jailed for assaulting police officers during the U.S. Capitol attack on Jan. 6, 2021.
The judge deemed him a danger to the community, especially given his past manslaughter conviction and possession of an AR-15 rifle.
Richmond’s defense argued that he has been non-violent for years, focusing on raising his son.
“The government is concerned that, under growing pressure, he may snap again,” a prosecutor wrote.
“There is not one shred of evidence that in the last three years he has engaged in any type of violence or crimes. He has simply worked and raised his son,” a defense attorney wrote.
“January 6 was not a one-time, innocent mistake, but rather one example of a pattern of dangerous behavior; of responding to tense situations with violence,” prosecutor Victoria Sheets wrote.
“He knows he’s not supposed to have this weapon,” Sheets said to the judge. “He knows what those weapons can do.”
Meanwhile, another individual, Ralph Joseph Celentano III, was sentenced to over six years in prison for assaulting a police officer during the same event.
“It was just a cowardly and despicable act that could have seriously injured the officer,” U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly said.
The officer expressed fear for his life during the attack.
“I thought I was on the verge of death that day,” Capitol Police Officer Kenrick Ellis said.
“You are not a patriot. You are a coward,” he said.
“I’m terribly sorry. It was a terrible day,” Celentano said to the officer.
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