Frederick Man Sentenced For Role In Breaching The US Capitol In 2021

Prosecutors say he assaulted police officers while inside the Capitol.

Washington DC (KM) A Frederick man was sentenced Friday in US District Court in Washington for his role in the breach of the US Capitol on January 6th, 2021. The US Attorney’s Office for DC says Steven Patrick Cook, 25, was given 28 months in federal prison, and 36 months of supervised released. He was ordered to pay $2,000 in restitution.

Cook was convicted on March 21st of two felony counts of assaulting, resisting and impeding police officers.

Federal prosecutors say Cook violently participated in the January 6th attack on the US Capitol, and delayed the certification of the Electoral College votes from the 2020 election.

Officials say in one instance on the West Plaza—after  rioters broke through a police line–Cook pushed a Metropolitan Police Officer who was trying to reestablish the police line, and took that person’s baton. He then punched another police officer. All that occurred around 2:28 PM.

At about 2:43 PM, Cook arrived at the Tunnel and began pushing his way to the front of the police line, according to federal prosecutors. While in the tunnel, Cook aided the attack on the police building by passing a pole to other rioter..

Cook left the tunnel at 2:52 PM, and returned a while later. Prosecutors say he took a gas mask from a nearby  rioter, put it on his face, and bull rushed officers. He also took an officer’s baton, removed his gas mask, and continued to push himself into officers to break their line.

Federal prosecutors say Cook left the tunnel at 3:05 PM and returned a short time later. He began pushing at the line of police officers with other rioters.

Cook  was arrested by the FBI on September 16th, 2023.

The US Attorney’s Office says since the January 6th, 2021 rioting, more than 1,470 people have been charged with crimes relating to breaching the US Capitol, including over 530 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement officers.

The investigation into the breach of the Capitol is continuing. .

By Kevin McManus