WASHINGTON — A Washington County man is going to prison after pleading guilty to assaulting officers with a weapon during the riot at the U.S. Capitol on Jan 6, 2021.
The United States Attorney’s Office said Joshua Lee Atwood, 31, of Burgettstown was sentenced to four years in prison with three years of supervised release. He will also pay $2,000 in restitution.
Atwood was arrested by the FBI in April.
Authorities said he climbed into the Capitol through a broken window and entered the Senate room to join the mob outside of the Thunnel entrance inside the building at 4:51 p.m. on that day.
They reported he picked up a wooden pole and used it to strike at the riot shields of officers in the police line. Police said he hit an officer’s helmet with that pole before throwing it at them.
Atwood reportedly used pepper spray against police until the canister was empty.
Police said he also threw a baseball bat, a plastic bottle, a metal scaffolding pipe and a heavy black speaker at the group of officers. The metal pipe hit an officer in the head and neck.
In the 47 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,572 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 590 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, a felony. The investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with information on the investigation is asked to call 1-800-255-5324.
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