Jan 6 rioter who chased police officer around Capitol building is slapped with over 3 years in prison

A New York man who was among the mob of Trump supporters who chased a Capitol Police officer up a flight of stairs inside the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, was sentenced this Thursday to 41 months in prison, Law&Crime reports.

Greg Rubenacker, 26, chased Officer Eugene Goodman up the stairs outside the Senate Chamber after the mob breached the Capitol building. According to prosecutors, video shows Rubenacker shouting, “This is history! We took the Capitol.”

“Where are they counting the votes,” he also yelled while joining the crowd that was intent on confronting police.

From Law&Crime:

Rubenacker left the building moments later, but returned about 20 minutes after that, making his way to the Rotunda where he recorded himself smoking marijuana. He later posted this video to social media with the caption: “Smoke out the Capitol, baby.”

While part of a crowd that was resisting police efforts to move the crowd outside, Rubenacker swung a plastic bottle of water at an officer’s head, and later sprayed water from his bottle at officers engaging with other rioters. Law enforcement then deployed chemical spray against the crowd, including Rubenacker, who eventually left the building at around 3:20 p.m.

Rubenacker pleaded guilty back in February to three felonies and seven misdemeanors. Rubenacker’s case is the first Capitol riot case in which Officer Goodman submitted a victim impact statement.

Chief U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell slammed Rubenacker’s sense of “entitlement” in rioting at Capitol and that he was “so exhilarated to be there.”

“Chasing Officer Goodman up the stairs was antagonistic conduct,” Howell said. “It was threatening conduct. It was scary conduct for Officer Goodman, and it would on its own warrant significant punishment.”

Sky Palma

Before launching DeadState back in 2012, Sky Palma has been blogging about politics, social issues and religion for over a decade. He lives in Los Angeles and also enjoys Brazilian jiu jitsu, chess, music and art.