Florida man pleads guilty in Jan. 6 fire extinguisher assault on Capitol Police

A 54-year-old Florida man pleaded guilty Monday for his role in the deadly Jan. 6 riot, where he wielded a wooden plank and sprayed Capitol police with a fire extinguisher before hurling the canister at officers during a violent clash along a barricaded entry.

Robert Palmer, who wore a distinctive American flag jacket during the siege where his actions were captured on video, was ordered detained until sentencing in December.

Palmer had been free on bond, but his conviction on the felony assault charge mandated that he be ordered into custody. Federal sentencing guidelines indicated that he could face possible punishment of about four years in prison.

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Citing video footage of rioters battling police on the Capitol's lower West Terrace, prosecutors said Palmer is shown "throwing a wooden plank" at officers, then spraying a cloud of flame retardant from a fire extinguisher before tossing the tank at police.

The video, recorded by U.S. Capitol Police, also showed that Palmer later picked up the empty tank a second time and again hurled it at police.

Palmer said little during the brief Monday hearing, apart from acknowledging that he wished to plead guilty to the single assault charge.

Defense attorney Bjorn Brunvand, who asked that his client remain free on bond until sentencing, said Palmer has been preparing for the prospect of prison by selling his assets.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Florida man pleads guilty in Jan. 6 Capitol fire extinguisher assault