Posted on by Randy Slovacek

80 Months In Prison For Jan. 6 Rioter Who Attacked Late Capitol Cop

Julian Kater, 33, who attacked Capitol Police officer Brian Sicknick with chemical spray during the violent January 6 invasion of the U.S. Capitol building, was sentenced to 80 months in prison and a $10,000 fine.
L-R Julian Khater, Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick

Julian Khater, 33, who attacked Capitol Police officer Brian Sicknick with chemical spray during the violent January 6 invasion of the U.S. Capitol building, was sentenced to 80 months in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Sicknick died of multiple strokes a day after being doused with pepper spray by Khater, who pleaded guilty to assaulting officers with a dangerous weapon in March.

An autopsy by D.C.’s chief medical examiner ruled that Sicknick suffered two strokes and died of natural causes a day after the insurrection but added that “all that transpired on that day played a role in his condition.”

Judge Thomas F. Hogan told Khater before sentencing that if not for the coroner’s report, Khater might have faced a murder charge.

Calling Khater’s actions “inexcusable,” Hogan said before sentencing, “There are officers who lost their lives, there’s officers who committed suicide after this, there’s officers who can’t go back to work.”

In his own statement, Khater said what happened on Jan. 6 was “extremely unfortunate,” before adding, “I wish I could take it all back.”

But Judge Hogan noted Khater’s “self-centered” statement “did not include any apology to the officers who you sprayed.”

The Washington Post points out that while Sicknick’s family have gone 751 days since Jan. 6, Khater began his statement by highlighting the 684 “agonizing” days he has spent in jail.

Khater will receive credit for the approximately 22 months he has already served in prison.

Read the full report here.