Ex-cop in Capitol riot gets 7-plus years in prison, matching longest January 6 sentence

An off-duty police officer was sentenced to 87 months in prison for taking part in the January 6 Capitol riot.

Former police Sgt Thomas Robertson of Rocky Mount, Virginia, was sentenced on Thursday afternoon to seven years and three months in prison for his role in the riot.

In April, a jury found Robertson guilty of six charges related to obstructing Congress. These included interfering with a police officer and entering a restricted area with a dangerous weapon.

His sentence is the same as that of Guy Reffitt, who was convicted for five felonies including bringing a firearm to Capitol grounds.

Prosecutors argued that Robertson was prepared for violence at the riot and used his law enforcement training to disrupt Capitol police trying to control the crowd.

‘The defendant is, by all accounts, proud of his conduct on Jan. 6,’ said Assistant US Attorney Elizabeth Aloi.

Robertson travelled to Washington, DC the morning of January 6 with another off-duty Rocky Mount police officer, Jacob Fracker.

The pair reportedly did a ‘victory lap’ inside the Capitol building after gaining access, then posed together for a selfie.

Fracker pleaded guilty to conspiracy in March and has been cooperating with authorities. He is scheduled to be sentenced next Tuesday.

Fracker testified against Robertson, and prosecutors have asked the judge for a lenient sentence with no jail time due to his cooperation.

Robertson and Fracker were both fired by Rocky Mount after the Capitol riot.

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