Capitol rioter sentenced to 44 months behind bars for assaulting police officers

A federal judge on Wednesday ordered a 44-month prison sentence for a South Carolina man who threw objects at police during the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot, then bragged online about his actions.

Nicholas Languerand pleaded guilty to the charges prior to the sentencing and has been in jail since April in his home state. He will receive credit for time served. 

U.S. District Judge John Bates, in Washington, D.C., handed down the nearly four-year sentence, despite the prosecutor in the case recommending a 51-month sentence. Bates, in his sentencing, cited Languerand's "extremely difficult and chaotic upbringing."

When Languerand was a child, his father intentionally set fire to a trailer in which he and his mother were living, nearly killing them. 

In November, the defendant, then 26, pleaded guilty to one charge of assaulting a law enforcement officer with a dangerous weapon. Authorities said he hurled objects at police and snatched an officer's riot shield. 

"Next time we come back with rifles," Languerand posted on social media following the riot at the U.S. Capitol Building. 

His defense attorney asked for a one-year sentence with credit for time served, arguing that his client has demonstrated a willingness to hold down a job and abide by the law, despite the challenging circumstances of his life.

Over 725 individuals have so far been slapped with federal charges related to the riot. About 200 of them have pleaded guilty.

Last month, a Florida man received 61-month prison sentence for assaulting police officers, making his the longest so far on record.

Roughly 140 police officers were assaulted during the riot, according to the Justice Department.