Capitol Rioter Receives 5-Year Prison Sentence for Assaulting AP Photographer and Police

Rodney Milstreed, a man who attacked an AP photographer and threw a flagpole and smoke grenade at police officers during the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021, has been sentenced to five years in prison. Prosecutors revealed that Milstreed had injected steroids and armed himself with a wooden club disguised as a flagpole in preparation for the attack. Milstreed expressed remorse for his actions, but the judge emphasized the seriousness of his conduct. Capitol Police Officer Devan Gowdy, who suffered a concussion from Milstreed's attack, described the lasting impact of the domestic terrorist attack. Milstreed pleaded guilty to assault charges and possessing an unregistered firearm and was found to have a cache of weapons and illegal steroids.