By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS
A Minnesota man who sprayed U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar with a mixture of apple cider vinegar and water during a Minneapolis town hall has been sentenced to 14 months in federal prison.
Anthony James Kazmierczak, 56, pleaded guilty in May to assaulting a federal official. At his Sept. 17 sentencing, a judge also ordered three years of supervised release, including a prohibition on contacting Omar. The source material supplied for this story says two years, but sentencing coverage reports three.
The Jan. 27 attack occurred while Omar was speaking about immigration enforcement. Kazmierczak rose from the audience, approached her, and sprayed liquid from a syringe before security subdued him. Omar was not physically injured and continued the town hall.
U.S. District Judge Joan N. Ericksen said the attack was planned, noting that Kazmierczak had obtained tickets weeks before the event. Kazmierczak apologized in court. Prosecutors raised concerns about politically motivated violence, while his defense described health and mental health problems.
The federal sentence does not end his legal proceedings. Kazmierczak also faces separate Hennepin County charges involving threats and assault arising from the incident. Those charges remain allegations unless resolved in court.
Omar, who represents a Minneapolis-area district, has said threats and political violence are unacceptable. The attack drew attention to the safety of elected officials at public events, where constituents must be able to speak with their representatives without fear of violence.
Sources: U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota; Hennepin County Attorney’s Office; Associated Press; Reuters. justice.gov