On Tuesday, ex-Air Force Lt. Col. Jeffrey A. Smith, a Trump appointee, was sentenced to 70 months in prison for attacking police officers during the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on January 6.
Smith was the first suspect appointed by former President Donald Trump to be sentenced to prison. He pleaded guilty in April to five federal charges stemming from the attack, including obstruction of an official proceeding, assault on a federal officer, and civil disorder.
During his sentencing hearing, Smith admitted that he “made a horrible mistake” and said he was ashamed of his actions. He also apologized to the judges.
Smith is part of a larger group of nearly 300 people arrested in connection to the attack on the Capitol, and is just the first to be sentenced. He is also the first person to be imprisoned for attacking police officers during the riots.
He will spend 70 months in prison and then spend three years on supervised release.
