On Friday, a member of a Texas militia received a prison sentence of almost five years for assaulting law enforcement officers during the attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. One of the officers was seriously injured during the violent mob’s assault.

Donald Hazard has been sentenced to four years and nine months in prison with an additional three months of supervised release by U.S. District Judge Randolph Moss. This judgment is in connection with his participation in the Capitol riot, as confirmed by a spokesperson from the U.S. Attorney’s office for the District of Columbia.

The statement aligned with the advice given by federal prosecutors for Hazard, who acknowledged responsibility for committing an act of physical violence in February.

Hurst, Texas resident, Hazard, aged 44, was involved with a group known as the Patriot Boys of North Texas, a militia that Lucas Denney claimed to be the president of. Hazard was appointed as a sergeant-at-arms, and Denney allegedly urged him to amass weapons and protective gear while also enlisting more members to participate alongside them in Washington, D.C. This information was revealed by prosecutors.

According to court documents, on January 6, Robert Hazard was reportedly enthusiastic about engaging in violent activities while donning a tactical vest and a helmet featuring the Confederate battle flag. These details were shared by Benet Kearney, a prosecutor with the Department of Justice.

Following the Capitol march, Hazard engaged in a heated confrontation with law enforcement officials who were attempting to prevent the mob from advancing towards the scaffolding located on the northwestern side of the building. In the ensuing altercation, Hazard physically restrained a police official, causing him to fall unconscious after tumbling down a flight of concrete stairs. As a result of the incident, the officer sustained a concussion and multiple foot injuries, which necessitated several surgeries as per the prosecution’s statement.

Another Capitol police officer was injured after falling and hitting their head on the concrete during an altercation at the west side of the Capitol with officers Hazard and Denney who were holding what seemed to be cans of pepper spray.

Hazard made a brief appearance inside the Capitol building, but was quickly forced out by the police along with other rioters.

“When he reached the exterior steps, Hazard raised his arms in a gesture of victory”

Kearny

Following January 6th events, Hazard exclaimed on Facebook about his involvement in the Capitol’s siege and altercation with law enforcement officials.

Kearney mentioned that Hazard’s sole regret was not having the pictures and videos from that day anymore.

Ubong Akpan, a defense attorney, Hazard did not intend to harm any officers. According to Akpan’s court filing, the individual’s behavior was a response to what he perceives on that day, and not a preconceived strategy to harm law enforcement, whom he believed he shared similar circumstances with.

According to the lawyer, the video evidence suggests that Hazard did not commit an act of forceful assault against the officers while on the scaffolding.

“His conduct was more consistent with impeding officers and his impeding led to bodily injuries of the officers,” Akpan stated.

Hazard and Denney were charged together. Denney confessed to having committed assault, and in September of last year, he was sentenced to four years and four months in prison.

Over 100 police officers were hurt during the events that took place at the Capitol on January 6, when a mob stormed Congress in an attempt to disrupt the certification of President Joe Biden’s election victory over former President Donald Trump.

More than 1,000 individuals have faced federal charges linked to the riot, and around 500 of them have already been sentenced. Out of those, over half have been ordered to serve jail time ranging from a week to 14 years or more.